Gunilla Hollman Frisman1, Ingrid Wåhlin2,3, Lotti Orvelius4, Susanna Ågren5. 1. Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Anesthetics, Operations and Specialty Surgery Center, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. 2. Intensive Care Department, Kalmar Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden. 3. School of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden. 4. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care and Department of Clinical Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. 5. Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify and describe the outcomes of a nurse-led intervention, "Health-promoting conversations with families," regarding family functioning and well-being in families with a member who was critically ill. BACKGROUND: Families who have a critically ill family member in an intensive care unit face a demanding situation, threatening the normal functioning of the family. Yet, there is a knowledge gap regarding family members' well-being during and after critical illness. DESIGN: The study used a qualitative inductive-descriptive design. METHODS: Eight families participated in health-promoting conversations aimed to create a context for change related to the families' identified problems and resources. Fifteen qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 adults who participated in health-promoting conversations about a critical illness in the family. Eight participants were patients (six men, two women) and 10 were family members (two male partners, five female partners, one mother, one daughter, one female grandchild). The interviews were analysed by conventional content analysis. RESULTS: Family members experienced strengthened togetherness, a caring attitude and confirmation through health-promoting conversations. The caring and calming conversations were appreciated despite the reappearance of exhausting feelings. Working through the experience and being confirmed promoted family well-being. CONCLUSION: Health-promoting conversations were considered to be healing, as the family members take part in sharing each other's feelings, thoughts and experiences with the critical illness. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Health-promoting conversations could be a simple and effective nursing intervention for former intensive care patients and their families in any cultural context.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify and describe the outcomes of a nurse-led intervention, "Health-promoting conversations with families," regarding family functioning and well-being in families with a member who was critically ill. BACKGROUND: Families who have a critically ill family member in an intensive care unit face a demanding situation, threatening the normal functioning of the family. Yet, there is a knowledge gap regarding family members' well-being during and after critical illness. DESIGN: The study used a qualitative inductive-descriptive design. METHODS: Eight families participated in health-promoting conversations aimed to create a context for change related to the families' identified problems and resources. Fifteen qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 adults who participated in health-promoting conversations about a critical illness in the family. Eight participants were patients (six men, two women) and 10 were family members (two male partners, five female partners, one mother, one daughter, one female grandchild). The interviews were analysed by conventional content analysis. RESULTS: Family members experienced strengthened togetherness, a caring attitude and confirmation through health-promoting conversations. The caring and calming conversations were appreciated despite the reappearance of exhausting feelings. Working through the experience and being confirmed promoted family well-being. CONCLUSION: Health-promoting conversations were considered to be healing, as the family members take part in sharing each other's feelings, thoughts and experiences with the critical illness. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Health-promoting conversations could be a simple and effective nursing intervention for former intensive care patients and their families in any cultural context.
Authors: Andreas Xyrichis; Simon Fletcher; Julia Philippou; Sally Brearley; Marius Terblanche; Anne Marie Rafferty Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-04-07 Impact factor: 2.692