Families and intensive care nurses: comparison of perceptions

This study compared family members' and nurses' perceptions on families' needs when a relative was hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU). Family members (N = 32) and nurses (N = 23) complete equivalent 44-item questionnaires. Both family members and nurses agreed that the greatest needs of families were anxious at admission (P less than 0.05). Families and nurses seemed satisfied in the Participation/Information and Emotional Support categories, but more disagreements were noted in these areas. More nurses perceived families as not wanting to participate in patient care (P less than 0.003), felt that families did not have enough time to visit (P less than 0.004), believed that families were comfortable expressing their feelings (P less than 0.02) but thought families were uncomfortable asking questions (P less than 0.01). It was concluded that families be prepared for the patient's condition and appearance, and for the hospital milieu in order to cope more effectively with excessive stress in time of crisis. Concordance in perceived needs of family members and care providers may lead to greater need satisfaction and it is advocated that both the patient and the family (rather than the patient alone) be the focus of treatment because of the relationship between social support and patient recovery.