The process of family waiting during surgery

In 2006, there were 46 million surgical procedures performed in the United States, all of which would have typically included waiting by the family and/or friends. A grounded-theory approach was used to examine the experiences of waiting family members during surgery of a loved one. A convenience sample of 32 family members of patients undergoing surgery were interviewed in two surgical waiting rooms. Constant comparison of the data was performed until saturation of categories was achieved. The resulting middle-range theory, maintaining balance during the wait, described the family member's struggle for balance during the surgical wait. Four domains were identified: focusing on the patient, passing the time, interplay of thoughts and feelings, and giving and/or receiving support. Study findings showed that understanding this struggle for balance during a surgery is imperative for nurses who often interact with family members and need to address their needs.