The effect of two nursing interventions on families of ICU patients

Although much research has addressed family needs of ICU patients, only a few studies have examined interventions aimed at meeting these family needs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two interventions, a family information pamphlet and a family group session, on 60 family members of ICU patients. Results revealed no statistically significant differences between the family member groups on Critical Care Family Needs Inventory scores (p = .45), which assessed important needs, or State Trait Anxiety scores (p = .61). Consistent with previous research on families' needs, the majority of the needs identified as most important by all family members related to receiving information. Small sample sizes may have contributed to nonsignificant differences between family member groups, and study replication with larger sample sizes is recommended.