The Meaning of Family Nursing Intervention: What Do Acute Care Nurses Think?

Abstract

Understanding the concept of family nursing intervention from the perspective of practicing nurses is essential for implementing a family-centered approach in the acute care context. Data from this qualitative study were analyzed using a colloquial concept analysis method derived from Rodgers' evolutionary theory. Five main attributes of family nursing interventions were identified. Family nursing interventions were viewed as a time-limited, collaborative process, initiated and/or facilitated by nurses and directed at either the individual or the family to solve problems. The antecedents of family nursing interventions were "family assessment," "the presence of a family-related problem," "willingness to participate (provider and family)" and a "supportive organizational structure." The most common consequences (outcomes) were identified as positive (good) or negative (bad) individual or family-related out-comes following a family nursing intervention. The analysis suggests that family nursing interventions are essential but variable in nature within nursing practice. In addition, the analysis implies a need for further inquiry in diverse settings to define the concept and test relationships between the antecedents and outcomes to advance nurses' translational knowledge of culturally appropriate family nursing interventions.

Dar Voz aos Cuidadores: um jogo para o cuidador familiar de um doente dependente

“…New nursing initiatives in family health must consider that family health is an integral part of the practice and an interdisciplinary challenge with clinical implications. Nursing needs specific interventions with families, determining their effectiveness in practices, and that can be recommended in health-illness transitions (28) . Promoting and maintaining family health is an area of family nursing with considerable room to develop and test family interventions (1) , as in the case of the board game.…”

The evidence base of nurse-led family interventions for improving family outcomes in adult critical care settings: A mixed method systematic review

“…To be included in the review, a study had to have either developed or assessed family nurse-led interventions (as defined in this review). Family nurse-led interventions are time bound, target the family or individual as the “unit of intervention” and occur as a collaborative, non-hierarchical interaction between a family and an interprofessional team in which a nurse(s) directs and/or delivers the intervention ( Eustance et al., 2015 ). To be included in the qualitative synthesis, a study had to have reported family members’ opinions (e.g., their views and/or experiences of an intervention).…”

“…The objective, search strategy, inclusion criteria, and methods of analysis underlying this review were all specifically chosen to identify evidence-based nurse-led interventions that can be optimized to support the family members of ICU patients as well as describe the family outcomes of such interventions. Nurse-led family interventions were conceptualized as interventions that target the whole family or individuals in the family, occur as a collaborative, non-hierarchical interaction between a family and health care professionals, and are directed and/or delivered by a nurse(s) to address a family need ( Eustance et al., 2015 ).…”