Poster Presentation
Friday, July 13, 2007
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Friday, July 13, 2007
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Needs of the Intensive Care Unit Familty: A Qualitative Study in Progress
Cheryl Holly, EdD, RN, School of Nursing, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA and Susan W. Salmond, EdD, RN, School of Nursing, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA.
| Learning Objective #1: state the broad categories of a a family with a loved one in an intensive care unit |
| Learning Objective #2: describe approaches to meet the needs of a family with a loved one in an intensive care unit. |
Needs of the Intensive Care Unit Family: A qualitative review in progress
Insight into the experiences and needs of families with an adult loved one in an intensive care unit is a necessary step in providing holistic, family-centered care. The purpose of this study is to conduct a qualitative analysis of available nursing studies to have a better understanding of the phenomenon of family members experiences with intensive care units and to identify strategies that are helpful in easing the reactions of families to an intensive/critical care area.
Methods: The sample will consist of qualitative studies that describe the needs and experiences of family members in critical care areas. The CINAHL, PUBMED and PROQUEST and Virginia Henderson Library databases were searched between 1990 and 2005 with such key words and combinations as intensive care or critical care experiences, needs, reactions, or perceptions. Fourteen studies were found that met the inclusion criteria of: 1) qualitative study of family experiences, reactions, perceptions, and/or needs; 2) adult patient; 3) intensive care or critical care setting.
Results: Using a grounded theory approach, preliminary results indicate that many of a family’s needs are basic and practical and include important issues related to pain management, visiting hours, participation in care, and communication. Preliminary themes that emerge from the review are related to: uncertainty; searching; maintaining vigil; vulnerability, ambivalence, and struggle.
Preliminary conclusions: Preliminary conclusions indicated that although nurses are in the best position to understand and meet the needs of families, family needs are not always met. Strategies that can be central in the nurses’ planned approach to families experiencing the admission of a loved one in a intensive care unit are suggested.