Family perceptions of the intra-aortic balloon pumping experience

A survey interview of family members of IABP patients suggested that their needs for education regarding their loved one's experience with the IABP were not being met by standard explanations offered by the attending physician, resident, or bedside nurse. All respondents indicated satisfaction with follow-up individual instruction provided by this researcher. Because of lack of time, it is not feasible for nurses to provide family-member instruction. Testing of videotape and family-member educational brochures as means of providing information on the IABP patient's experience is therefore recommended.