Vico Chung Lim Chiang1, Rainbow Lai Ping Lee2, Mei Fung Ho3, Chi Kwong Leung4, Pui Yi Tang5, Sze Wing Wong6, Sin Yee Ho7, Wai Yan Tung8, Lai Hang Louie9. 1. School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR, PR China. Electronic address: vico.chiang@polyu.edu.hk. 2. School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKSAR, PR China. Electronic address: rainbow.l.p.lee@polyu.edu.hk. 3. ICU, North District Hospital, HKSAR, PR China. Electronic address: hmf430@ha.org.hk. 4. ICU, North District Hospital, HKSAR, PR China. Electronic address: lck504@ha.org.hk. 5. ICU, North District Hospital, HKSAR, PR China. Electronic address: tpy336@ha.org.hk. 6. ICU, North District Hospital, HKSAR, PR China. Electronic address: wsw449@ha.org.hk. 7. ICU, North District Hospital, HKSAR, PR China. Electronic address: hsy446@ha.org.hk. 8. ICU, North District Hospital, HKSAR, PR China. Electronic address: twy688a@ha.org.hk. 9. ICU, North District Hospital, HKSAR, PR China. Electronic address: LLH389@ha.org.hk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Intensive care nurses may have an important role in empowering families by providing psychological support and fulfilling the family's pivotal need for information. AIM: To determine whether 'education of families by tab' about the patient's condition was more associated with improved anxiety, stress, and depression levels than the 'education of families by routine'. RESEARCH DESIGN: A randomized control trial of 74 main family caregivers (intervention: 39; control: 35). SETTING: An adult intensive care unit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and Communication and Physical Comfort Scale. RESULTS: Although information need satisfaction was not significantly different between intervention and control groups, the former reported significantly better depression score on Depression Anxiety Stress Scale comparing to the control group (p<0.01; η2=0.09) with a medium effect size. Reduction of anxiety in the intervention group were clinically significant. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that use of 'education of family by tab' is promising for intensive care nurses to provide psychological support for family members. More studies are needed to investigate this aspect of family care for better psychological support and information need satisfaction that contributes to the evidence-based practice of intensive care nursing.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Intensive care nurses may have an important role in empowering families by providing psychological support and fulfilling the family's pivotal need for information. AIM: To determine whether 'education of families by tab' about the patient's condition was more associated with improved anxiety, stress, and depression levels than the 'education of families by routine'. RESEARCH DESIGN: A randomized control trial of 74 main family caregivers (intervention: 39; control: 35). SETTING: An adult intensive care unit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and Communication and Physical Comfort Scale. RESULTS: Although information need satisfaction was not significantly different between intervention and control groups, the former reported significantly better depression score on Depression Anxiety Stress Scale comparing to the control group (p<0.01; η2=0.09) with a medium effect size. Reduction of anxiety in the intervention group were clinically significant. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that use of 'education of family by tab' is promising for intensive care nurses to provide psychological support for family members. More studies are needed to investigate this aspect of family care for better psychological support and information need satisfaction that contributes to the evidence-based practice of intensive care nursing.