Pauline Wong1, Bernice Redley2, Tracey Bucknall3. 1. Deakin University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia. Electronic address: Pauline.wong1@monash.edu. 2. Deakin University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research-Monash Health Partnership, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. Electronic address: bernice.redley@deakin.edu.au. 3. Deakin University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia; Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research-Alfred Health Partnership, The Alfred, 55 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia. Electronic address: tracey.bucknall@deakin.edu.au.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Understand families' preferences and observed participation in patient care in an adult ICU. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: The mixed-methods design used survey and naturalistic observation to collect data from a convenience sample of 30 family members of critically ill patients. SETTING: Two public hospital intensive care units in Australia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1) Families' preferences for participation in decision-making and physical patient care activities in the adult intensive care unit, measured using a modified Control Preference Scale; 2) the type and frequency of family participation in patient care activities in the intensive care unit. RESULTS: Almost half (47%) reported a preference to share in decision-making about care for their relative with healthcare professionals; 17% reported a preference for active participation in decision-making. Alternatively, most families preferred a passive (60%) role in the physical care of their relative ; 33% preferred shared participation with staff and very few (3%) preferred active participation with little involvement of staff. Of the 193 activities observed, family participation in physical care was the least frequent (24%). CONCLUSION: Differences emerged in family preferences for participation in physical care compared to their involvement in decision-making about care for their relative. The findings indicate a need for tailored interventions to support family participation aligned with their preferences.
OBJECTIVE: Understand families' preferences and observed participation in patient care in an adult ICU. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: The mixed-methods design used survey and naturalistic observation to collect data from a convenience sample of 30 family members of critically illpatients. SETTING: Two public hospital intensive care units in Australia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1) Families' preferences for participation in decision-making and physical patient care activities in the adult intensive care unit, measured using a modified Control Preference Scale; 2) the type and frequency of family participation in patient care activities in the intensive care unit. RESULTS: Almost half (47%) reported a preference to share in decision-making about care for their relative with healthcare professionals; 17% reported a preference for active participation in decision-making. Alternatively, most families preferred a passive (60%) role in the physical care of their relative ; 33% preferred shared participation with staff and very few (3%) preferred active participation with little involvement of staff. Of the 193 activities observed, family participation in physical care was the least frequent (24%). CONCLUSION: Differences emerged in family preferences for participation in physical care compared to their involvement in decision-making about care for their relative. The findings indicate a need for tailored interventions to support family participation aligned with their preferences.