Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
2013-79510
Hospital confinement
Family Needs and Coping Strategies during Illness Crisis
Patricia and Koller, MSN, RN
AACN Volume 2 No. 2, May 1991, pp. 338-345
Objective: To explore family needs and coping behaviors when faced with stress of a family members critical illness
Method: Convenience sample of 30 family members of 22 critically ill patients completed the Critical Care Family
Needs Inventory and Jalowiec Coping Scale and responded to a seven-item semi-structures questionnaire
Implication of results: According to the family members, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) experience is stressful; however,
uncertainty of prognosis and the waiting were most stressful. The family needs assurance and information regarding
the condition of the patient. This exchange of information fosters the development of trust of the family members to
the care-giver. It also decreases fear and lends a sense of control to the family system. The use of social support
and prayer is important and helped them get through stressful times. On the other hand, nursing interventions, such
as provision of information, the competence and personal manner of the nurse, emotional support, and the allowance
for frequent visitation is also helpful.