Yoğun Bakım Hasta Yakınlarının Deneyimi ve Gereksinimleri

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the experiences and needs of intensive care patients’ families. The research was descriptive and cross-sectional, conducted with family members (N=219) who were inpatients in the intensive care units of Ankara University Ibni Sina Hospital within the borders of Ankara province between 02 November 2022 and 02 March 2023. The data of the study were collected face to face using the Intensive Care Patient Relatives' Experiences Survey and the Intensive Care Units Relatives Inventory. The analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS 25 software. Descriptive statistics of the data were provided. The assumption of normality of data was checked with the Shapiro-Wilk test as the first step of the statistical analysis, and when the normality assumption was met the Independent Samples t-test was used to examine the difference between the means of two independent groups; otherwise, the Mann-Whitney U test was applied. For the comparison of means among three or more independent groups when the normality assumption was not met, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used. Post Hoc Bonferroni test was applied to determine which group or groups created the difference. According to the main findings of this study, relatives of intensive care patients generally knew the diagnosis of their patients and visited them usually within the first 24-48 hours. It was found that visiting restrictions had negative effects on patients; however, most relatives did not experience negative emotions due to their patient being in intensive care. Participants were generally well informed about the condition of their patients and did not have problems communicating with the staff. Notably, the most requested topic among the suggestions received from relatives was for more information about the patient's condition. The mean score of the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory was found to be 130.74±16.03. The items marked as "very important" at the highest rate in the scale items are listed in the following order: Knowing the improvement regarding my patient's condition, being confident that the hospital staff takes care of my patient, don't be worrying when I leave the hospital, knowing exactly what was done to my patient, and getting information about my patient at least once a day. The mean score of people who had communication problems with the health professionals responsible for the care and treatment of their patients was found to be higher than the total score average of people who did not have any problems. Additionally, a statistically significant, negative and low-level relationship was observed between age and the scale total score. In line with the results of the research, it is recommended that health professionals should communicate more effectively with patients' relatives, provide regular information about the patient's condition and future research be conducted, which is multi-center and has a larger sample size to determine the needs of patients' relatives.