Nursing strategies to support family members of ICU patients at high risk of dying.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
OBJECTIVES: To explore how family members of ICU patients at high risk of dying respond to nursing communication strategies. BACKGROUND: Family members of ICU patients may face difficult decisions. Nurses are in a position to provide support. Evidence of specific strategies that nurses use to support decision-making and how family members respond to these strategies is lacking. METHODS: This is a prospective, qualitative descriptive study involving the family members of ICU patients identified as being at high risk of dying. RESULTS: Family members described five nursing approaches: Demonstrating concern, building rapport, demonstrating professionalism, providing factual information, and supporting decision-making. This study provides evidence that when using these approaches, nurses helped family members to cope; to have hope, confidence, and trust; to prepare for and accept impending death; and to make decisions. CONCLUSION: Knowledge lays a foundation for interventions targeting the areas important to family members and most likely to improve their ability to make decisions and their well-being.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Adams, JA; Anderson, RA; Docherty, SL; Tulsky, JA; Steinhauser, KE; Bailey, DE
Published Date
- September 2014
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 43 / 5
Start / End Page
- 406 - 415
PubMed ID
- 24655938
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC4150813
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1527-3288
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2014.02.001
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States