What are nurses’ perceptions and attitudes on meeting informational needs of relatives in critical care?

Abstract

The purpose of this research proposal is to gain insight into critical care nurses attitudes and perceptions on meeting relatives of critically ill patients informational and communication needs during their time in the critical care unit. This has been done firstly through a critical review of relevant literature where three themes emerged: Nurses perceived role and attitude, obstacles to family involvement and level of support and the effect on families’, whilst also paying particular attention to family-centred care (FCC) approaches when dissecting the literature due to FCC keeping families actively involved through information giving to allow them to partake in decision-making and engage with their loved ones care, as when relatives are not supported properly within critical care it can be seen as a distressful, lonely experience. This study proposes to use a qualitative explorative descriptive enquiry. Over the course of 3 months, 12 potential participants will be offered to take part in this study. Those who are willing will be interviewed by 2 researchers to gain in-depth insight into their own thoughts, opinions, and attitudes towards meeting relatives’ informational needs and their involvement in care. Through this study, it is hoped that new insights into nurses’ attitudes and opinions will be sought which will, in turn, benefit future practice within critical care and create a deeper understanding for nurses and other health professionals to achieve a high standard of FCC which will inform practice and policy.