Families' control preference for participation in patient care in adult intensive care.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Understand families' preferences and observed participation in patient care in an adult ICU. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: The mixed-methods design used survey and naturalistic observation to collect data from a convenience sample of 30 family members of critically ill patients. SETTING: Two public hospital intensive care units in Australia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1) Families' preferences for participation in decision-making and physical patient care activities in the adult intensive care unit, measured using a modified Control Preference Scale; 2) the type and frequency of family participation in patient care activities in the intensive care unit. RESULT(S): Almost half (47%) reported a preference to share in decision-making about care for their relative with healthcare professionals; 17% reported a preference for active participation in decision-making. Alternatively, most families preferred a passive (60%) role in the physical care of their relative ; 33% preferred shared participation with staff and very few (3%) preferred active participation with little involvement of staff. Of the 193 activities observed, family participation in physical care was the least frequent (24%). CONCLUSION(S): Differences emerged in family preferences for participation in physical care compared to their involvement in decision-making about care for their relative. The findings indicate a need for tailored interventions to support family participation aligned with their preferences.Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.