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Ryan MJ, Lee L, Drisdelle S, Garros D, Seabrook JA, Curran J, Bretzler J, Slumkoski C, Walls M, Betts L, Burgess S, Foster JR. Impact of COVID-19-related restricted family presence policies on Canadian pediatric intensive care unit clinicians: a qualitative study. Can J Anaesth 2024:10.1007/s12630-024-02742-0. [PMID: 38507024 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-024-02742-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) worldwide restricted family presence in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to explore the experiences and impact of restricted family presence policies on Canadian PICU clinicians. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study that followed an interpretive phenomenological design. Participants were PICU clinicians providing direct patient care in Canada during periods of COVID-19-related restricted family presence. We purposively sampled for maximum variation among survey participants who consented to be contacted for further research on the same topic. In-depth interviews were conducted remotely via telephone or video-call, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Interviews were inductively coded and underwent thematic analysis. Proposed themes were member-checked by interviewees. RESULTS Sixteen PICU clinicians completed interviews. Interviewees practiced across Canada, represented a range of disciplines (eight nurses, two physicians, two respiratory therapists, two child life specialists, two social workers) and years in profession (0-34 years). We identified four themes representing the most meaningful aspects of restricted family presence for participants: 1) balancing infection control and family presence; 2) feeling disempowered by hospital and policy-making hierarchies; 3) empathizing with family trauma; and 4) navigating threats to the therapeutic relationship. CONCLUSION Pediatric intensive care unit clinicians were impacted by restricted family presence policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. These policies contributed to feelings of disempowerment and challenged clinicians' perceived ability to provide the best family-centred care possible. Frontline expertise should be incorporated into the design and implementation of policies to best support family-centred care in any context and minimize risks of moral distress for PICU clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly J Ryan
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, IWK Health, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Laurie Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sara Drisdelle
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, IWK Health, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Daniel Garros
- Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jamie A Seabrook
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Janet Curran
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Corey Slumkoski
- Patient Partner, Department of Pediatric Critical Care, IWK Health, Halifax, Canada
| | - Martha Walls
- Patient Partner, Department of Pediatric Critical Care, IWK Health, Halifax, Canada
| | - Laura Betts
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, IWK Health, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stacy Burgess
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, IWK Health, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Jennifer R Foster
- Department of Critical Care, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, IWK Health, 5850/5980 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, B3K 6R8, Canada.
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Foster JR, Lee LA, Seabrook JA, Ryan M, Slumkoski C, Walls M, Betts LJ, Burgess SA, Moghadam N, Garros D. A survey of pediatric intensive care unit clinician experience with restricted family presence during COVID-19. Can J Anaesth 2023; 70:1669-1681. [PMID: 37610552 PMCID: PMC10600297 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-023-02547-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Limiting family presence runs counter to the family-centred values of Canadian pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). This study explores how implementing and enforcing COVID-19-related restricted family presence (RFP) policies impacted PICU clinicians nationally. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional, online, self-administered survey of Canadian PICU clinicians to assess experience and opinions of restrictions, moral distress (Moral Distress Thermometer, range 0-10), and mental health impacts (Impact of Event Scale [IES], range 0-75 and attributable stress [five-point Likert scale]). For analysis, we used descriptive statistics, multivariate regression modelling, and a general inductive approach for free text. RESULTS Representing 17/19 Canadian PICUs, 368 of 388 respondents (94%) experienced RFP policies and were predominantly female (333/368, 91%), English speaking (338/368, 92%), and nurses (240/368, 65%). The mean (standard deviation [SD]) reported moral distress score was 4.5 (2.4) and was associated with perceived differential impact on families. The mean (SD) total IES score was 29.7 (10.5), suggesting moderate traumatic stress with 56% (176/317) reporting increased/significantly increased stress from restrictions related to separating families, denying access, and concern for family impacts. Incongruence between RFP policies/practices and PICU values was perceived by 66% of respondents (217/330). Most respondents (235/330, 71%) felt their opinions were not valued when implementing policies. Though respondents perceived that restrictions were implemented for the benefit of clinicians (252/332, 76%) and to protect families (236/315, 75%), 57% (188/332) disagreed that their RFP experience was mainly positive. CONCLUSION Pediatric intensive care unit-based RFP rules, largely designed and implemented without bedside clinician input, caused increased psychological burden for clinicians, characterized as moderate moral distress and trauma triggered by perceived impacts on families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Foster
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, IWK Health Centre, 5850/5980 University Ave., PO Box 9700, Halifax, NS, B3K 6R8, Canada.
- Department of Critical Care, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
- Department of Pediatrics, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
- Children's Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Laurie A Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Critical Care, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jamie A Seabrook
- Department of Pediatrics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Molly Ryan
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Corey Slumkoski
- Patient Partner, Department of Pediatric Critical Care, IWK Health, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Martha Walls
- Patient Partner, Department of Pediatric Critical Care, IWK Health, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Laura J Betts
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stacy A Burgess
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Children's Health Program, IWK Health, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Neda Moghadam
- Patient Partner, Department of Pediatric Critical Care, IWK Health, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Daniel Garros
- Stollery Children's Hospital, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Suleman S, O'Brien JM, McIlduff C, Benson B, Labine N, Khan S, Tse T, Kawchuk J, Kapur P, Abramyk C, Reimche E, Valiani S. Understanding equitable and affirming communication moments and relationship milestones during the intensive care unit journey: findings from stage 1 of a design thinking project. Can J Anaesth 2023; 70:995-1007. [PMID: 37188836 PMCID: PMC10184968 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-023-02456-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Communication is vital to facilitate patient and family-centred care (PFCC) and to build trusting relationships between intensive care unit (ICU) health care providers, the patient, and their loved ones in the ICU. The focus of this investigation was to identify, define, and refine key moments of communication, connection, and relationship building in the ICU through a lens of Equity, Diversity, Decolonization, and Inclusion (EDDI) to encourage meaningful communication and development of trusting relationships. METHODS We conducted 13 journey mapping interviews with ICU health care providers, patients, and their loved ones as the first stage in a design thinking project. We used directed content analysis to identify intersections where principles of EDDI directly or indirectly impacted communication, relationships, and trust throughout the ICU journey. To serve diverse patients and their loved ones, accessibility, inclusivity, and cultural safety were foundational pillars of the design thinking project. RESULTS Thirteen ICU health care providers, patients, and their loved ones participated in journey mapping interviews. We defined and refined 16 communication moments and relationship milestones in the journey of a patient through the ICU (e.g., admission, crises, stabilization, discharge), and intersections where EDDI directly or indirectly impacted communication and connection during the ICU journey. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight that diverse intersectional identities impact communication moments and relationship milestones during an ICU journey. To fully embrace a paradigm of PFCC, consideration should be given to creating an affirming and safe space for patients and their loved ones in the ICU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salima Suleman
- Speech Language Pathologist, Independent Research Consultant, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jennifer M O'Brien
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
| | - Cari McIlduff
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Brittany Benson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Nicole Labine
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Sahar Khan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Tiffanie Tse
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Joann Kawchuk
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Puneet Kapur
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Candace Abramyk
- Patient and Family Partners, Saskatchewan Center for Patient Oriented Research, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Eileen Reimche
- Patient and Family Partners, Saskatchewan Center for Patient Oriented Research, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Sabira Valiani
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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