Jean-Pierre Quenot1, Nicolas Meunier-Beillard2, Eléa Ksiazek3, Caroline Abdulmalak4, Samia Berrichi5, Hervé Devilliers6, Fiona Ecarnot7, Audrey Large8, Jean-Baptiste Roudaut9, Pascal Andreu10, Auguste Dargent11, Jean-Philippe Rigaud12. 1. Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital François Mitterrand, Dijon, France; Lipness Team, INSERM Research Centre LNC-UMR1231 and LabEx LipSTIC, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France; INSERM CIC 1432, Clinical Epidemiology, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France. Electronic address: jean-pierre.quenot@chu-dijon.fr. 2. INSERM CIC 1432, Clinical Epidemiology, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France; DRCI, USMR, CHU Dijon, Bourgogne, France. Electronic address: nicolas.meunier-beillard@u-bourgogne.fr. 3. INSERM CIC 1432, Clinical Epidemiology, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France. Electronic address: elea.ksiazek@u-bourgogne.fr. 4. Department of Intensive Care, Centre Hospitalier William Morey, Châlon sur Saône, France. Electronic address: caroline.abdulmalak@ch-chalon71.fr. 5. Department of Intensive Care, Centre Hospitalier de Dieppe, France. 6. Department of Internal Medicine, François Mitterrand University Hospital, Dijon, France. Electronic address: herve.devilliers@chu-dijon.fr. 7. EA3920, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Besancon, France. Electronic address: fiona.ecarnot@univ-fcomte.fr. 8. Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital François Mitterrand, Dijon, France. Electronic address: audrey.large@chu-dijon.fr. 9. Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital François Mitterrand, Dijon, France. Electronic address: jean-baptiste.roudaut@chu-dijon.fr. 10. Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital François Mitterrand, Dijon, France. Electronic address: pascal.andreu@chu-dijon.fr. 11. Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital François Mitterrand, Dijon, France; Lipness Team, INSERM Research Centre LNC-UMR1231 and LabEx LipSTIC, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France. Electronic address: auguste.dargent@chu-dijon.fr. 12. Department of Intensive Care, Centre Hospitalier de Dieppe, France; Espace de Réflexion Ethique de Normandie, University Hospital Caen, France. Electronic address: JRigaud@ch-dieppe.fr.
Abstract
PURPOSE: We investigated the criteria that patients' relatives deem important for choosing, among themselves, the person best qualified to interact with the caregiving staff. METHODS: Exploratory, observational, prospective, multicentre study between 1st March and 31st October 2018 in 2 intensive care units (ICUs). A 12-item questionnaire was completed anonymously by family members of patients hospitalized in the ICU 3 and 5 days after the patient's admission. Relatives were eligible if they understood French and if no surrogate had been appointed by the patient prior to ICU admission. More than one relative per patient could participate. RESULTS: In total, 87 relatives of 73 patients completed the questionnaire, average age of relatives was 58 ± 15 years, 46% were the spouse, 30% were children/grandchildren. Items classed as being the most important attributes for a reference person were: good knowledge of the patient's wishes and values; an emotional attachment to the patient; being a family member; and having an adequate understanding of the clinical status and clinical history. CONCLUSION: This study identifies the attributes considered by relatives to be most important for designating, among themselves, a reference person for a patient hospitalized in the ICU.
PURPOSE: We investigated the criteria that patients' relatives deem important for choosing, among themselves, the person best qualified to interact with the caregiving staff. METHODS: Exploratory, observational, prospective, multicentre study between 1st March and 31st October 2018 in 2 intensive care units (ICUs). A 12-item questionnaire was completed anonymously by family members of patients hospitalized in the ICU 3 and 5 days after the patient's admission. Relatives were eligible if they understood French and if no surrogate had been appointed by the patient prior to ICU admission. More than one relative per patient could participate. RESULTS: In total, 87 relatives of 73 patients completed the questionnaire, average age of relatives was 58 ± 15 years, 46% were the spouse, 30% were children/grandchildren. Items classed as being the most important attributes for a reference person were: good knowledge of the patient's wishes and values; an emotional attachment to the patient; being a family member; and having an adequate understanding of the clinical status and clinical history. CONCLUSION: This study identifies the attributes considered by relatives to be most important for designating, among themselves, a reference person for a patient hospitalized in the ICU.