The needs of families of trauma intensive care patients: A mixed methods study
Author(s)
Mitchell, Marion
Dwan, Toni
Takashima, Mari
Beard, Kellie
Birgan, Sean
Wetzig, Krista
Tonge, Angela
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2019
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Objective:
To identify the needs of families of trauma patients in the Intensive Care Unit and to assess nurses’ perceptions of those needs.
Methodology:
A sequential mixed-methods study was utilised combining survey data and semi-structured interviews.
Setting:
A tertiary Intensive Care Unit in Australia.
Outcome measures:
The Critical Care Family Needs Inventory assessed the needs of families of general and trauma patients. Nurses were also surveyed for their perspectives on the needs of trauma patients’ families. Interviews with families were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis technique.
Results/findings:
214 ...
View more >Objective: To identify the needs of families of trauma patients in the Intensive Care Unit and to assess nurses’ perceptions of those needs. Methodology: A sequential mixed-methods study was utilised combining survey data and semi-structured interviews. Setting: A tertiary Intensive Care Unit in Australia. Outcome measures: The Critical Care Family Needs Inventory assessed the needs of families of general and trauma patients. Nurses were also surveyed for their perspectives on the needs of trauma patients’ families. Interviews with families were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis technique. Results/findings: 214 surveys were completed (50 family members of trauma patients; 53 family members of general patients; 111 nurses). No statistically significant sub-scale differences in survey responses between the family groups were found. However, differences on four of the five survey sub-scales (p ≤ .001) were identified between families of trauma patients and nurses. Three themes emerged identifying unique needs of families of trauma patients from the interviews and included: Personal Distress and Adjustment,Guidance, and Care. Conclusion: This mixed methods study identified that families of trauma patients have different needs to families of general patients and the nurses rated the needs of the families of trauma patients as less important than the families rated their own needs. Through a collaborative partnership with these families, nurses can assist and better meet their needs. The provision of individualised patient/family-centred care is likely to have a positive influence.
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View more >Objective: To identify the needs of families of trauma patients in the Intensive Care Unit and to assess nurses’ perceptions of those needs. Methodology: A sequential mixed-methods study was utilised combining survey data and semi-structured interviews. Setting: A tertiary Intensive Care Unit in Australia. Outcome measures: The Critical Care Family Needs Inventory assessed the needs of families of general and trauma patients. Nurses were also surveyed for their perspectives on the needs of trauma patients’ families. Interviews with families were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis technique. Results/findings: 214 surveys were completed (50 family members of trauma patients; 53 family members of general patients; 111 nurses). No statistically significant sub-scale differences in survey responses between the family groups were found. However, differences on four of the five survey sub-scales (p ≤ .001) were identified between families of trauma patients and nurses. Three themes emerged identifying unique needs of families of trauma patients from the interviews and included: Personal Distress and Adjustment,Guidance, and Care. Conclusion: This mixed methods study identified that families of trauma patients have different needs to families of general patients and the nurses rated the needs of the families of trauma patients as less important than the families rated their own needs. Through a collaborative partnership with these families, nurses can assist and better meet their needs. The provision of individualised patient/family-centred care is likely to have a positive influence.
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Journal Title
Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Volume
50
Subject
Nursing
Acute care