Implementing Family-Centred Care for Patients With Disorders of Consciousness in Jordanian Intensive Care Units: A...

Family-centred care (FCC) is widely recognised as a best practice in critical care, helping to improve communication, reduce family distress and enhance patient safety. For individuals with disorders of consciousness (DoC), family-led sensory stimulation has shown promise in supporting neurological recovery. Although family caregiving is deeply valued in Middle Eastern cultures, structured FCC interventions remain uncommon in adult intensive care units (ICUs). Their cultural relevance and clinical outcomes are still not well understood.

This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and clinical impact of a structured FCC program-Together in Recovery-designed for patients with DoC, their families and healthcare providers in Jordanian ICUs.

A concurrent mixed-methods, quasi-experimental study with a prospective pre-test-post-test control-group design. Sixty patient-family dyads (30 intervention; 30 control) and 25 ICU nurses participated. Quantitative measures included Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R), ICU length of stay and family satisfaction. Qualitative interviews explored experiences, acceptability and cultural fit.

Recruitment was high (86% of eligible dyads consented), with 100% completion and no adverse events, demonstrating strong feasibility. Intervention families adhered to 93% of scheduled sessions. Acceptability was high, with 97% of families recommending the program and 92% of nurses describing it as culturally appropriate. Quantitatively, the intervention group showed greater improvement in GCS and CRS-R scores and shorter ICU stays compared with controls. Family satisfaction scores were also significantly higher in the intervention group. Qualitative findings reinforced the program's cultural resonance and feasibility, though workload pressures were noted as barriers.

The Together in Recovery FCC program was feasible, safe, acceptable and associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with DoC.

Implementing structured FCC programs in ICUs may enhance patient recovery and family satisfaction, while being culturally adaptable to Middle Eastern and other low- and middle-income settings.