Background Many health care professionals believe that they provide holistic care. The role of spirituality, a known variable of holism, has not been explored in relation to the support among health care professionals for family presence during invasive procedures and resuscitative efforts in adults. Objective To determine the relationship between spirituality of health care professionals and their support for family presence during invasive procedures and resuscitative efforts in adults. Methods In this descriptive correlational study, 108 participants (physicians, physician assistants, and nurses) completed the Howden Spirituality Assessment Scale and a survey to measure their support for family presence. Results A significant positive relationship was found between spirituality and support for family presence during resuscitative efforts in adults (r = 0.24, P = .05) and a significant negative correlation was found between support for family presence and the age of the health care professional (r = -0.27, P = .01). No significant correlations were found between any of the study variables and invasive procedures in adults. Conclusions Adopting a more holistic perspective may support family presence, especially during resuscitative efforts in adults. Allowing the option for patients' families to remain present promotes holistic family-centered care. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2009;18:357-367) 3. Discuss how to implement formal policies and education for health care professionals that allow family presence during invasive procedures and resuscitation.
Families of patients in adult critical care are susceptible to physiological symptoms, emotional distress, persuasion, burden, and postintensive care syndrome-family, as defined by the Society of Critical Care Medicine. The specific aims of this article are to (1) describe the state of science about the concept of vulnerability of families of patients in adult critical care, through analysis and synthesis of relevant literature; (2) explore resources available to reduce or prevent vulnerability of this population; and (3) propose considerations for research with this population. Concept analysis and synthesis strategies support the definition of this concept through review of the literature to describe antecedents, defining characteristics, and consequences of the vulnerability of families of patients in adult critical care. The authors present resources for both families and health care professionals and recommendations for potential collaborative efforts that could reduce risks and promote the health of this vulnerable population.
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