Nurses’ experiences of caring for families with relatives in intensive care units

Abstract

Registered Nurses caring for families who have relatives in adult intensive care units face a fundamental conflict both between role expectations and patient care and between professional ideals and being a human. This not only highlights a disparity between nurses everyday family care practice and the underpinning theories but also may contribute to occupational stress.

Symptoms of Cardiac Anxiety in Family Members of Intensive Care Unit Patients

“…[1][2][3][4] In adapting themselves to the ICU environment, families must cope with major life-and-death issues such as end-of-life decisions, role alterations, grief concerns, financial matters, and family responsibilities. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Moreover, they must confront emotional distress such as despair and fear, mainly because of the uncertainty about the progress of their loved one, the fear of death, and the unfamiliar or inhospitable environment of the ICU. 2,6,7 Much of the emotional, mental, and social upheaval that patients' family members experience is due to the inadequate amount of information the ICU staff members provide about patients' clinical course and condition or, at least, to the lack of clarity.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Moreover, they must confront emotional distress such as despair and fear, mainly because of the uncertainty about the progress of their loved one, the fear of death, and the unfamiliar or inhospitable environment of the ICU. 2,6,7 Much of the emotional, mental, and social upheaval that patients' family members experience is due to the inadequate amount of information the ICU staff members provide about patients' clinical course and condition or, at least, to the lack of clarity. 2,7 Consequently, researchers have become gradually interested in the emotional responses that family members of patients experience during the patients' treatment in ICUs.…”

Percepción De Enfermeras Y Familiares De Pacientes Sobre Conductas De Cuidado Importantes

“…Desde el ingreso del paciente al hospital, las familias pueden tener muchas y variadas necesidades. Del mismo modo, la planificación de las intervenciones para atender las necesidades familiares es fundamental, ya que los miembros de las familias se han identificado como los responsables de tomar las decisiones durante la enfermedad del paciente (8). En este contexto, la existencia del modelo biomédico, que impone su lógica en la realización de múltiples tareas delegadas, frente al cuidado holístico que realiza la enfermera al momento de ejercer su profesión, genera dificultades para interactuar de forma más cercana con el paciente y su familia (9).…”

Enfrentamento da morte fetal pela enfermagem na abordagem disposicional e na Teoria Motivacional do Coping

“…No enfrentamento da morte no contexto hospitalar, em geral, os profissionais de saúde utilizam EE de distanciamento ou de negação, pelo fato de não saberem como lidar com a dor da morte (Montero et al, 2011;Stayt, 2007;Yam, Rossiter, & Cheung, 2001). Os enfermeiros valorizam o suporte emocional às mães em situação de óbito fetal, mas delegam suas tarefas a outros profissionais, por não se julgarem preparados para lidar com essa demanda.…”