[Support group as embracement strategy for relatives of patients in intensive care unit]

Admissions to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) generate needs among relatives, which sometimes do not receive appropriate care. This study aimed at describing a support group (SG) that embraces the relatives of patients admitted to ICU and to evaluate its effectiveness in meeting their needs of information and emotional support. This descriptive study was performed in 2006 in a Hospital of Goiânia/GO, by means sessions of the Support Group for Families (SGF). The sessions were recorded and registered in a field-diary for further analysis of the group process. In addition, individual interviews were performed to evaluate if the needs for information and support were met. The SGF permitted to see to the needs of families, helping them cope with the hospitalization of their relative in the ICU. In conclusion, SGF helps to promote humanized care practice and to overcome care that is historically focused on patient and disease. Nurses should consider reorganizing their practice and the possibility of including the SGF as a strategy to meet the needs of the families.