Psychological symptoms of family members of high-risk intensive care unit patients

Experiences with remote communication in adult intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review protocol

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review is to explore the lived experiences of critically ill adults, their families, or health care professionals with remote communication in intensive care units (ICUs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION

Family visiting restrictions in ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic imposed significant challenges to communication between critically ill adults, their families, and the health care team. Evidence shows that several communication strategies were developed and implemented in ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic to promote family engagement; however, the experiences of critically ill adults, their families, and health care professionals with these strategies are scattered across primary qualitative studies.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

This review will consider qualitative studies that include critically ill adults, their families, or health care professionals, focusing on their experiences with remote communication strategies in ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

This review will be conducted in accordance with JBI methodology. The search strategy will aim to locate both published and unpublished qualitative studies in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Studies published after January 2020 will be included. Study selection, critical appraisal, and data extraction will be performed independently by 2 reviewers. Data will be presented in narrative format and synthesized using the JBI meta-aggregation process. A ConQual Summary of Findings will be presented.

REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42022383603.

Tailored implementation of the FICUS multicomponent family support intervention in adult intensive care units: findings from a mixed methods contextual analysis

BACKGROUND

The Family in Intensive Care UnitS (FICUS) trial investigates the clinical effectiveness of a multicomponent, nurse-led interprofessional family support intervention (FSI) and explores its implementation in intensive care units (ICUs). The local context of each ICU strongly influences intervention performance in practice. To promote FSI uptake and to reduce variation in intervention delivery, we aimed to develop tailored implementation strategies.

METHODS

A mixed method contextual analysis guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was performed from March to June 2022 on eight ICUs assigned to the intervention group. ICU key clinical partners were asked to complete a questionnaire on CFIR inner setting measures (i.e., organizational culture, resources, learning climate and leadership engagement) and the Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change (ORIC) scale prior to group interviews, which were held to discuss barriers and facilitators to FSI implementation. Descriptive analysis and pragmatic rapid thematic analysis were used. Then, tailored implementation strategies were developed for each ICU.

RESULTS

In total, 33 key clinical partners returned the questionnaire and 40 attended eight group interviews. Results showed a supportive environment, with CFIR inner setting and ORIC measures each rated above 3 (scale: 1 low-5 high value), with leadership engagement scoring highest (median 4.00, IQR 0.38). Interview data showed that the ICU teams were highly motivated and committed to implementing the FSI. They reported limited resources, new interprofessional information exchange, and role adoption of nurses as challenging.

CONCLUSION

We found that important pre-conditions for FSI implementation, such as leadership support, a supportive team culture, and a good learning climate were present. Some aspects, such as available resources, interprofessional collaboration and family nurses' role adoption were of concern and needed attention. An initial set of implementation strategies were relevant to all ICUs, but some additions and adaptation to local needs were required. Multi-component interventions are challenging to implement within complex systems, such as ICUs. This pragmatic, theory-guided, mixed methods contextual analysis demonstrated high readiness and commitment to FSI implementation in the context of a clinical trial and enabled the specification of a tailored, multifaceted implementation strategy.

Self-Care Mental Health App Intervention for Post-Intensive Care Syndrome-Family: A Randomized Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Post-intensive care syndrome-family (PICS-F) is a constellation of adverse psychological symptoms experienced by family members of critically ill patients during and after acute illness. Cognitive behavioral therapy delivered using smartphone technology is a novel approach for PICS-F symptom self-management.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of smartphone delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing the prevalence and severity of PICS-F symptoms in family members of critically ill patients.

METHODS

The study had a randomized controlled longitudinal design with control and intervention groups composed of family members of patients admitted to 2 adult intensive care units. The intervention consisted of a mental health app loaded on participants' personal smartphones. The study time points were upon enrollment (within 5 days of intensive care unit admission; time 1), 30 days after enrollment (time 2), and 60 days after enrollment (time 3). Study measures included demographic data, PICS-F symptoms, mental health self-efficacy, health-related quality of life, and app use.

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 60 predominantly White (72%) and female (78%) family members (30 intervention, 30 control). Anxiety and depression symptom severity decreased significantly over time in the intervention group but not in the control group. Family members logged in to the app a mean of 11.4 times (range, 1-53 times) and spent a mean of 50.16 minutes (range, 1.87-245.92 minutes) using the app.

CONCLUSIONS

Delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy to family members of critically ill patients via a smartphone app shows some efficacy in reducing PICS-F symptoms.

A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study: Eliciting ICU Experiences and Measuring Outcomes of Family Caregivers of Patients Who Have Undergone Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

The impact of an intensive care unit (ICU) admission on family caregivers of patients who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has not been well described. Aims of this study were to determine the feasibility of conducting research with family caregivers of HSCT patients during an ICU admission and generate preliminary data about their experiences and engagement in care. Using a mixed-methods, repeated measures design, we collected data from family caregivers after 48 hr in the ICU (T1) and at 48 hr after transferring out of ICU (T2). Enrolling HSCT caregivers in research while in the ICU was feasible (10/13 consented; 9/10 completed data collection at T1); however, data collection at T2 was not possible for most caregivers. Caregiver distress levels were high, and engagement in care was moderate. The three themes that emerged from interviews (n = 5) highlighted that although HSCT family caregivers faced many challenges and received limited support during their ICU experience, they were able to access their own personal resources and demonstrated resilience.

Anxiety and Depression Symptoms of Family Members of Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Prospective Observational Study and the Lived Experiences of the Family Members

Background  The aim of this study is to investigate the factors affecting symptoms of anxiety and depression in the family members of critically ill patients. Methods  This prospective cohort study was conducted in an adult tertiary care mixed medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at a tertiary-level teaching hospital. The symptoms of anxiety and depression of first-degree adult relatives were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Four family members were interviewed and asked about their experiences during the ICU process. Results  A total of 84 patients and their family members were included in the study. The symptoms of anxiety were present in 44/84 (52.4%), and depression was present in 57/84 (67.9%) family members. A nasogastric tube was found to be related to anxiety ( p  = 0.005) and depressive symptoms ( p  = 0.002). The family members of the patients with an acute developed illness had 3.9 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-10.9) times the odds of having the symptoms of anxiety and 6.2 (95% CI: 1.7-21.7) times the odds of having the symptoms of depression than the family members of the patients with an illness developed on a chronic basis. The family members of the patients who died in the ICU had 5.0 (95% CI: 1.0-24.5) times the odds of being depressed than the patients discharged from the ICU. All interviewees stated having difficulty understanding and remembering what was told. The common feelings of all the interviewees were desperation and fear. Conclusions  Awareness of the emotional stress of family members can help develop interventions and attitudes to alleviate symptom burden.

Psychological distress, social support, and family satisfaction among family members of non-COVID-19 critical care patients: A cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

This study aims to explore the associations among psychological distress, perceived social support, and family satisfaction among family members of non-COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Family members of patients with at least 48 h in the ICU and without a COVID-19 diagnosis were screened between January and March 2021. For enrolled ICU family members, five questionnaires for perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), anxiety symptoms (General Anxiety Disorder-7), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), perceived social support (Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey), and family satisfaction (Family Satisfaction with Care in the Intensive Care Unit-24) were administered by phone either in English or Spanish language. Sociodemographic and patient clinical data were also collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlations, Mann-Whitney U, and Fisher's exact tests.

FINDINGS

Of 87 eligible ICU family members, 63 were enrolled (72.4%); 27% of the sample presented with clinically significant symptoms of anxiety, 25.4% with depression, and 76.2% had a high perception of social support. ICU family members with low/fair perceived social support reported statistically significantly higher perceived stress and lower family satisfaction. Perceived stress was negatively correlated with family satisfaction. Clinically significant symptoms of anxiety and depression were not statistically associated with family satisfaction or perceived social support.

CONCLUSIONS

While ICU admission-related stress may undermine family satisfaction, perceived social support may be positively associated with the way that ICU family members of non-COVID-19 patients evaluate the quality of care in the ICU. Knowing the factors that influence family satisfaction in the ICU may assist stakeholders and policy developers to improve family-centered care in the hospital setting.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Early screening for psychological distress and social support levels during admission should be included in updates of visiting and communication policies in the ICU. Prompt identification of family members at risk of a poor ICU experience may enhance efforts to support them, particularly in acute care settings where differentiated approaches to COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ICU family members are established.

Primary palliative care recommendations for critical care clinicians

Palliative care is an interdisciplinary care to optimize physical, psychosocial, and spiritual symptoms of patients and their families whose quality of life is impaired by serious, life-limiting illness. In 2021, the importance of providing palliative care in the intensive care unit (ICU) is well recognized by various studies to alleviate physical symptoms due to invasive treatments, to set patient-centered goals of care, and to provide end-of-life care. This paper summarizes the evidence known to date on primary palliative care delivered in the ICU settings. We will then discuss the potential benefits and harms of primary palliative care so that critical care clinicians are better equipped to decide what services might best improve the palliative care needs in their ICUs.

The Psychological Impact on Relatives of Critically Ill Patients: The Influence of Visiting Hours

OBJECTIVES:

To identify the psychologic impact of admission to the ICU on the relatives of critically ill patients, the influence of coping, and the factors involved.

DESIGN:

We performed a cohort study with repeated measures evaluation using descriptive and comparative bivariate and multivariate analyses.

SETTINGS:

An adult ICU of a third-level complexity hospital.

PATIENTS:

The family members of patients (maximum of three per patient) staying longer than 3 days.

INTERVENTIONS:

Not applicable.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Psychologic impact was assessed using two subgroups of psychologic distress: anxiety (by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and depression (by the Beck Depression Inventory). Satisfaction and coping were assessed by the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory and the Brief Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced Inventory, respectively. We included 104 family members; psychologic distress was high at admission (72% had anxiety, 45% had depression, and 42% had both) but decreased at discharge (34% had anxiety, 23% had depression, and 21% had both). The risk factors related to psychologic impact were severity (anxiety: Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score ≥ 18 points: relative risk [RR], 2; 95% CI, 1–4; p = 0.03), invasive mechanical ventilation (anxiety: RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1–3.6; p = 0.04), recent psychotropic medication use by relatives (depression: RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1–2.9; p = 0.05), a restrictive visiting policy (anxiety: RR, 5.7; 95% CI, 2–10.4; p = 0.002), no emotion-focused coping strategy (anxiety: strategy < 11 points, RR, 6.1; 95% CI, 1.2–52; p = 0.01), and functional impairment (depression: Barthel index ≤ 60 points, RR, 7.4; 95% CI, 1.7–26.3; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

The psychologic impact from admission to the ICU on family members is high. Visiting hours is the main modifiable factor to reduce the impact.

Bereavement Experiences of Families in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND

Losing a loved one in the intensive care unit is associated with complicated grief and increased psychologic distress for families. Providing bereavement support may help families during this time. However, little is known about the bereavement experiences of families of patients in the cardiac intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the bereavement experiences of families of patients in the cardiac intensive care unit.

METHODS

In this secondary analysis, an exploratory, descriptive design was used to understand the families' bereavement experiences. Families from 1 cardiac intensive care unit in a tertiary medical center in the western United States participated. Audiotaped telephone interviews were conducted by using a semistructured interview guide 13 to 15 months after the patient's death. A qualitative, descriptive technique was used for data analysis. Two independent researchers coded the interview transcripts and identified themes.

RESULTS

Twelve family members were interviewed. The majority were female (n = 8, 67%), spouses (n = 10, 83%), and White (n = 10, 83%); the mean age (SD) was 58.4 (16.7) years. Five main themes emerged: (1) families' bereavement work included both practical tasks and emotional processing; (2) families' bereavement experiences were individual; (3) these families were resilient and found their own resources and coping mechanisms; (4) the suddenness of a patient's death influenced families' bereavement experiences; and (5) families' experiences in the intensive care unit affected their bereavement.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided insight into the bereavement experiences of families of patients in the cardiac intensive care unit. These findings may be useful for professionals working with bereaved families and for cardiac intensive care units considering adding bereavement support.

Effect of Patient and Family Centred Care interventions for adult intensive care unit patients and their families: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To assess the evidence for the feasibility and effect of patient and familycentred care interventions provided in the intensive care unit, single or multicomponent, versus usual care, for reducing delirium, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in patients and family-members.

DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines and GRADE approach. A systematic literature search of relevant databases, screening and inclusion of studies, data extraction and assessment of risk of bias according to Cochrane methodology. The study is preregistered on PROSPERO (CRD42020160768).

SETTING

Adult intensive care units.

RESULTS

Nine randomised controlled trials enrolling a total of 1170 patients and 1226 family-members were included. We found moderate to low certainty evidence indicating no effect of patient and family centred care on delirium, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, in-hospital mortality, intensive care length of stay or family-members' anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. No studies looked at the effect of patient and family centred care on pain or cognitive function in patients. Evaluation of feasibility outcomes was scarce. The certainty of the evidence was low to moderate, mainly due to substantial risk of bias in individual studies and imprecision due to few events and small sample size.

CONCLUSION

It remains uncertain whether patient and family centred care compared to usual care may reduce delirium in patients and psychological sequelae of intensive care admission in patients and families due to limited evidence of moderate to low certainty. Lack of systematic process evaluation of intervention feasibility as recommended by the Medical Research Council to identify barriers and facilitators of patient and family centred care in the adult intensive care unit context, further limits the conclusions that can be drawn.

Delivering Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Post-Intensive Care Syndrome-Family via a Mobile Health App

BACKGROUND

Family members of intensive care unit (ICU) patients are at risk for post-intensive care syndrome- family (PICS-F), including symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the first-line nonpharmacologic treatment for many psychological symptoms and has been successfully delivered by use of mobile technology for symptom self-management.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the feasibility of delivering cognitive behavioral therapy through a smartphone app to family members of critically ill patients.

METHODS

This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study with a consecutive sample of patients admitted to 2 adult ICUs and their family members. The control group period was followed by the intervention group period. The intervention consisted of a mobile health app preloaded on a smartphone provided to family members. The study time points were enrollment (within 5 days of ICU admission), 30 days after admission, and 60 days after admission. Study measures included demographic data, app use, satisfaction with the app, mental health self-efficacy, and measures of PICS-F symptoms.

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 49 predominantly White (92%) and female (82%) family members (24 intervention, 25 control). Smartphone ownership was 88%. Completion rates for study measures were 92% in the control group and 79% in the intervention group. Family members logged in to the app a mean of 18.58 times (range 2-89) and spent a mean of 81.29 minutes (range 4.93-426.63 minutes) using the app.

CONCLUSIONS

The study results confirm the feasibility of implementing app-based delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy to family members of ICU patients.

Perceptions and ideas of critically ill patients, their family and staff members regarding family participation in the physiotherapy-related care of critically ill patients: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Involvement of families in physiotherapy-related tasks of critically ill patients could be beneficial for both patients and their family. Before designing an intervention regarding family participation in the physiotherapy-related care of critically ill patients, there is a need to investigate the opinions of critically ill patients, their family and staff members in detail.

OBJECTIVE

Exploring the perceptions of critically ill patients, their family and staff members regarding family participation in physiotherapy-related tasks of critically ill patients and the future intervention.

METHODS

A multicenter study with a qualitative design is presented. Semistructured interviews were conducted with critically ill patients, family and intensive care staff members, until theoretical saturation was reached. The conventional content method was used for data analyses.

RESULTS

Altogether 18 interviews were conducted between May 2019 and February 2020. In total, 22 participants were interviewed: four patients, five family members, and 13 ICU staff members. Six themes emerged: 1) prerequisites for family participation (e.g., permission and capability); 2) timing and interactive aspects of engaging family (e.g., communication); 3) eligibility of patients and family (e.g., first-degree relatives and spouses, and long stay patients); 4) suitability of physiotherapy-related tasks for family (e.g., passive, active and breathing exercises); 5) expected effects (e.g., physical recovery and psychological wellbeing); and 6) barriers and facilitators, which may affect the feasibility (e.g., safety, privacy, and responsibility).

CONCLUSION

Patients, family members and staff members supported the idea of increased family participation in physiotherapy-related tasks and suggested components of an intervention. These findings are necessary to further design and investigate family participation in physiotherapy-related tasks.

Family Experience during Patient Assistance Process in General Intensive Care Unit: A Phenomenology Study

BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit (ICU) treatment can lead to fear, anxiety, depression, panic, and tension in the family. Place of the family as active presence, guardian, facilitator, historian, and coaching of the family cannot be separated from the recovery process. During the assistance of ICU patients, the family is faced with a strange environment, strict rules, emotional stress, and everyday life changes that have caused them to encounter psychological and physiological concerns. AIM: This study aims to describe and interpret of the family’s experience during assistance patient in the ICU. METHODS: A phenomenological methodology is used to explore experience of family. In-depth interviews were conducted on nine participants who were selected using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed by Colaizzi techniques, began with read transcripts, look for phenomenon, formulated data, organized, and verified to the participants. RESULTS: The result is presented in three themes; physically and psychologically tired; good language is a medicine, strengthens each other’s companion. CONCLUSION: The support of the patient in the ICU helps the family face a number of stressful circumstances. Adaptive coping and psychosocial help from health care workers and friends build a supportive family to cope with the difficulties when supporting patients in the ICU.

Smartphone Delivery of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Postintensive Care Syndrome-Family: Protocol for a Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Family members of critically ill patients experience symptoms of postintensive care syndrome-family (PICS-F), including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Postintensive care syndrome-family reduces the quality of life of the families of critically ill patients and may impede the recovery of such patients. Cognitive behavioral therapy has become a first-line nonpharmacological treatment of many psychological symptoms and disorders, including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress. With regard to managing mild-to-moderate symptoms, the delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy via mobile technology without input from a clinician has been found to be feasible and well accepted, and its efficacy rivals that of face-to-face therapy.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our pilot study is to examine the efficacy of using a smartphone mobile health (mHealth) app to deliver cognitive behavioral therapy and diminish the severity and prevalence of PICS-F symptoms in family members of critically ill patients.

METHODS

For our pilot study, 60 family members of critically ill patients will be recruited. A repeated-measures longitudinal study design that involves the randomization of participants to 2 groups (the control and intervention groups) will be used. The intervention group will receive cognitive behavioral therapy, which will be delivered via a smartphone mHealth app. Bandura's social cognitive theory and an emphasis on mental health self-efficacy form the theoretical framework of the study.

RESULTS

Recruitment for the study began in August 2020. Data collection and analysis are expected to be completed by March 2022.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed study represents a novel approach to the treatment of PICS-F symptoms and is an extension of previous work conducted by the research team. The study will be used to plan a fully powered randomized controlled trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04316767; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04316767.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/30813.

Psychological distress among the family members of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients: A scoping review

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To map research-based psychological distress among the family members with patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

BACKGROUND

Having a loved one in the ICU is a stressful experience, which may cause psychological distress for family members. Depression, anxiety and stress are the common forms of psychological distress associated with ICU patient's family members. Directly or indirectly, psychological distress may have behavioural or physiological impacts on the family members and ICU patient's recovery.

DESIGN

The study was based on the five-stage methodological framework by Arksey and O'Malley (International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2005, 8, 19) and were guided by the PRISMA-ScR Checklist.

METHODS

A comprehensive and systematic search was performed in five electronic databases, namely the Scopus, Web of Sciences, CINAHL^® Complete @EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect and MEDLINE. Reference lists from the screened full-text articles were reviewed.

RESULTS

From a total of 1252 literature screened, 22 studies published between 2010-2019 were included in the review. From those articles, four key themes were identified: (a) Prevalence of psychological distress; (b) Factors affecting family members; (c) Symptoms of psychological distress; and (d) Impact of psychological distress.

CONCLUSIONS

Family members with a critically ill patient in ICU show high levels of anxiety, depression and stress. They had moderate to major symptoms of psychological distress that negatively impacted both the patient and family members.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The review contributed further insights on psychological distress among ICU patient's family members and proposed psychological interventions that could positively impact the family well-being and improve the patients' recovery.

Structural Validity of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Among Family Members of Critically Ill Patients

BACKGROUND

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is commonly used clinically and scientifically among surrogate decision makers for critically ill patients. The validity of the HADS has been scrutinized, but its use among surrogate decision makers has not been examined.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the structural validity of the HADS.

METHODS

This study was a secondary analysis of data obtained from a 3-arm randomized controlled trial of a decision support intervention. Participants were recruited from 6 intensive care units at a tertiary medical center in Northeast Ohio. Participants were adult surrogate decision makers for critically ill, cognitively impaired adults who were not expected to be discharged from the intensive care unit within the subsequent 48 hours. The fit of 2-factor, 3-factor, and bifactor structures of the HADS was tested with confirmatory factor analysis.

RESULTS

The bifactor structure, possessing a general psychological distress factor and anxiety and depression group factors, showed a superior fit and met a priori thresholds for acceptable model fit. The general psychological distress factor accounted for more than 75% of the common variance in the HADS items.

CONCLUSION

Confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence supporting a bifactor structure of the HADS. In this sample, the instrument validly measures psychological distress rather than distinct symptoms of anxiety and depression. Replication of these results is encouraged, and use of alternative measures is recommended when measuring distinct symptoms of anxiety and depression among surrogate decision makers for critically ill patients.

Weekly Internal Ethical Case Discussions in an ICU-Results Based on 9 Years of Experience With a Highly Structured Approach

Objectives

Various ethical challenges are prevalent in ICUs. In order to handle these problems, a highly structured internal ethical case discussion within the multiprofessional team was implemented in 2011 in a Swiss ICU and has been regularly practiced almost weekly until present. To explore the results of all ethical case discussions taking place in a general ICU and to discuss the outcomes of the patients. To identify the conditions facilitating the implementation of regular ethical case discussions.

Design

Retrospective case series analysis.

Setting

Mixed academic ICU.

Patients AND INTERVENTION

All patients who had an ethical case discussion between January 2011 and December 2019 following the approach called Modular, Ethical, Treatment decisions, Allocation of resources at the micro-level, and Process.

MEASUREMENTS AND Main Results

Weekly ethical case discussions held regularly on a fixed date were found to be practical for the observed ICU. A total of 314 ethical case discussions were realized in 281 patients. Median patient age was 70 years (interquartile range, 62-77 yr); two thirds were men. The results were categorized into the following groups: established therapy continues, complications to be treated (n = 53; 16.9%); therapy continues, patient's will to be explored further (n = 77; 24.5%); therapy continues, complications to be treated only after evaluation (n = 62; 19.7%); therapy continues with limitations (e.g., do-not-resuscitate order) (n = 98; 31.2%); and change of treatment plan to end-of-life care (n = 17; 5.4%). Of the discussed patients, 115 (40.9%) died in the ICU and 29 (10.3%) after transfer to the normal ward. Seven patients (2.5%) were transferred to a hospice and 55 (19.6%) to another hospital. Sixty-nine (24.6%) were discharged to a rehabilitative facility and six returned home.

Conclusions

Regular ethical case discussions can be successfully implemented, enabling careful review of the patient's will and balancing it with the prognosis of the disease. This facilitates a necessary change of the therapeutic goal whenever appropriate.

Nursing Interventions to Reduce Stress in Families of Critical Care Patients: An Integrative Review

BACKGROUND

Having a family member admitted to an intensive care unit is a stressful experience that may lead to psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

OBJECTIVE

To better understand the phenomenon of stress experienced by families of intensive care unit patients and identify nursing interventions that may help reduce it.

METHODS

An integrative literature review was performed to identify principal stressors for families of patients receiving care in neonatal, pediatric, and adult intensive care units and recommended nursing interventions.

RESULTS

The principal stressors in the 3 types of intensive care units were change in parental role or family dynamics, appearance and behavior of the patient, the care setting, and communication with the health care staff. Nursing interventions should focus on valuing the role of family members in patient care, improving communication, and providing accurate information.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Family members of intensive care patients will benefit from nursing interventions that adequately acknowledge and address the stress they experience.

CONCLUSION

Nurses play a crucial role in helping to reduce the stress experienced by family members of intensive care unit patients.

Family Intensive Care Unit Syndrome: An Integrative Review

Background:

Hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) brings about psychological and physical symptoms in patients' family members. Family Intensive Care Unit Syndrome (FICUS) is a term used to explain the psychological symptoms of the family of a patient in response to the patient's admission to the ICU. The purpose of this study was to define FICUS along with its symptoms and predictors.

Materials and Methods:

The Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and SID databases were searched for literature published in 2005–2018 with the keywords “FICUS,” “intensive care unit,” “family,” “caregivers,” “anxiety,” “depression,” and “post-traumatic stress disorder” in their title and abstract. The strategy for conducting an integrative review provided by Whittemore and Knafl (2005) was used in this study.

Results:

Twenty articles were included in the final data analysis. Following the patient's admission to the ICU, family members experience multiple psychological symptoms such as FICUS. The most commonly reported symptoms were anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complicated grief, sleep disorder, stress, and fatigue. The low education level, having a critically-ill spouse, adequate support, financial stability, preference for decision-making, understanding of the disease process, anxiety, depression, or previous acute stress were predictors of FICUS.

Conclusions:

On the basis of the results, families also experience physical symptoms, so the FICUS is not limited to the occurrence of psychological symptoms. This study found that there is no universal definition for the term “FICUS” in the research literature. Thus, further research is needed to explore FICUS in the health field.

Family participation in physiotherapy-related tasks of critically ill patients: A mixed methods systematic review

PURPOSE

Providing an overview of studies on family participation in physiotherapy-related tasks of critically ill patients, addressing two research questions (RQ): 1) What are the perceptions of patients, relatives, and staff about family participation in physiotherapy-related tasks? and 2) What are the effects of interventions of family participation in physiotherapy-related tasks?

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods articles were identified using PubMed, Embase and CINAHL. Studies reporting on family participation in physiotherapy-related tasks of adult critically ill patients were included. A convergent segregated approach for mixed-methods reviews was used.

RESULTS

Eighteen articles were included; 13 for RQ1, and 5 for RQ2. The included studies were quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method, including between 8 and 452 participants. The descriptive studies exhibit a general appreciation for involvement of relatives in physiotherapy-related tasks, although most of the studies reported on family involvement in general care and incorporated diverse physiotherapy-related tasks. One study explored the effectiveness of family participation on a rehabilitation outcome and showed that the percentage of patients mobilizing three times a day increased.

CONCLUSION

Positive attitudes were observed among patients, their relatives and staff towards family participation in physiotherapy-related tasks of critically ill patients. However, limited research has been done into the effect of interventions containing family participation in physiotherapy-related tasks.

Positive Appraisal of Caregiving for Intensive Care Unit Survivors: A Qualitative Secondary Analysis

BACKGROUND

More than half of intensive care unit survivors require assistance from family caregivers after discharge. Caregiving is associated with negative consequences including poor health-related quality of life, psychosocial distress, and burden. Little is known about how family caregivers find satisfaction and meaning in their experience.

OBJECTIVES

To explore positive descriptions of the experiences of family caregivers of critically ill patients and to describe factors that family caregivers view as important to a positive caregiving experience from hospitalization to 4 months after discharge.

METHODS

Qualitative secondary analysis was performed on data from semistructured interviews conducted as part of a longitudinal study that examined physical and psychological responses to stress in a convenience sample of family caregivers of adult intensive care unit patients who underwent prolonged mechanical ventilation (≥ 4 days). Interviews were conducted at 4 time points: during the hospitalization and within 2 weeks, 2 months, and 4 months after discharge.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 41) reported factors that helped them positively appraise their caregiving experience in 113 interviews conducted face to face or via telephone. During patients' hospitalization, caregivers described changes in their role, with their primary responsibility being to advocate for the patient. They described how this experience fulfilled their identity and strengthened their relationship with the patient. Most family caregivers mentioned the importance of social support and prayer.

CONCLUSIONS

Family caregivers of intensive care unit patients can identify positive aspects of caregiving during the experience. Interventions to reframe the caregiving experience in a positive light are warranted.

Role Incongruence and Psychological Stress Symptoms in Substitute Decision Makers of Intensive Care Patients

BACKGROUND

Most intensive care patients require substitute decision makers (SDMs) to make decisions. The SDMs may prefer an active, shared, or passive decision-making role. Role incongruence is when preferred and actual roles differ.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of decision-making role preferences and role incongruence on psychological distress symptoms in SDMs.

METHODS

A multicenter, interviewer-administered survey was conducted among SDMs of critically ill adults. The Control Preferences Scale was used to evaluate role preferences. Psychological distress was defined as anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress symptoms with predefined cut points on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (score > 10 on the anxiety or the depression subscale) and Impact of Events Scale (score > 30).

RESULTS

One hundred eighty SDMs were recruited; 64% responded. Most were white (71%) and female (65%); 46% were spouses. Role preferences varied: active, 24%; shared, 44%; and passive, 31%. Almost half (49%) reported incongruence. Symptom prevalence was 50% for posttraumatic stress, 32% for anxiety, and 16% for depression. Most (56%) reported some psychological distress. In multivariable logistic regression, the composite outcome of psychological distress was independently associated with patient death (odds ratio, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.08-8.02; P = .03), female sex of SDM (odds ratio, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.49-5.89; P = .002), and incongruence (odds ratio, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.67-6.36; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Adverse psychological symptoms are prevalent in SDMs of critically ill patients and are related to role incongruence.

Appropriateness of intensive care treatments near the end of life during the COVID-19 pandemic

The patient and family perspective on the appropriateness of intensive care unit (ICU) treatments involves preferences, values and social constructs beyond medical criteria. The clinician's perception of inappropriateness is more reliant on clinical judgment. Earlier consultation with families before ICU admission and patient education on the outcomes of life-sustaining therapies may help reconcile these provider-patient disagreements. However, global emergencies like COVID-19 change the usual paradigm of end-of-life care, as it is a new disease with only scarce predictive information about it. Pandemics can also bring about the burdensome predicament of doctors having to make unwanted choices of rationing access to the ICU when demand for otherwise life-saving resources exceeds supply. Evidence-based prognostic checklists may guide treatment triage but the principles of shared decision-making are unchanged. Yet, they need to be altered with respect to COVID-19, defining likely outcomes and likelihood of benefit for the patient, and clarifying their willingness to take on the risks inherent to being in an ICU for 2 weeks for those eligible. For patients who are admitted during the prodrome of COVID-19 disease, or those who deteriorate in the second week, clinicians have some lead time in hospital to have appropriate discussions about ceilings of treatments offered based on severity.

KEY POINTS

The patient and family perspective on inappropriateness of intensive care at the end of life often differs from the clinician's opinion due to the nonmedical frame of mind.To improve satisfaction with communication on treatment goals, consultation on patient values and inclusion of social constructs in addition to clinical prediction is a good start to reconcile differences between physician and health service users' viewpoints.During pandemics, where health systems may collapse, different admission criteria driven by the need to ration services may be warranted.

EDUCATIONAL AIMS

To explore the extent to which older patients and their families are involved in decisions about appropriateness of intensive care admission or treatmentsTo understand how patients or their families define inappropriate intensive care admission or treatmentsTo reflect on the implications of decision to admit or not to admit to the intensive care unit in the face of acute resource shortages during a pandemic.

Challenges Experienced by Family Caregivers of the Adult Intensive Care Unit Patients in Korea: An Integrative Review

Consistent with global trends, population aging in South Korea is necessitating increasing admissions to intensive care units (ICU). This integrative review describes the challenges experienced by family caregivers of ICU patients in South Korea and evaluates relevant intervention studies. Using Whittemore and Knafl's methods, we identify and synthesize findings from 20 (14 descriptive and 6 experimental design) articles and evaluate study quality. South Korean ICU family caregivers reported challenges such as feelings of powerlessness and vulnerability, difficulty in maintaining their own health and well-being, and mixed feelings regarding patients' transition to the general ward. Intervention studies, which were based on quasi-experimental design, examined modified visiting hours, information provision strategies, nurse-led transitional care programs, and educational support. Findings highlight the current state of the science in this topic area in South Korea. Future studies should use more robust methods, such as longitudinal cohort studies and randomized controlled trials.

Building Resiliency in Dyads of Patients Admitted to the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit and Their Family Caregivers: Lessons Learned From William and Laura

Sustaining a stroke, regardless of its severity, is a life-changing and often traumatizing event that can lead to chronic depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress in both survivors and their family caregivers. Psychosocial interventions for emotional distress after stroke are limited, have emphasized psychoeducation rather than skills, treatment of chronic emotional distress rather than prevention, and have targeted either the patient or their caregiver without accounting for the context of their interpersonal relationship. Here we discuss "Recovering Together," a novel program for dyads of patients with stroke and their family caregivers aimed at preventing chronic emotional distress by using cognitive behavioral principles to teach resiliency and interpersonal communication skills beginning during hospitalization in a neuroscience intensive care unit and continuing after discharge via telehealth. We illustrate the case of a pilot dyad enrolled in the Recovering Together program, to showcase how patients and caregivers can engage with and benefit from it. This dyad's experience suggests that Recovering Together is credible, feasible, and useful. The potential dyadic benefit of this intervention lies not only in providing the opportunity to optimize recovery and prevent long-term emotional distress, but also in creating the space to come together as a pair and make meaning from critical illness.

Intensivists' Religiosity and Perceived Conflict During a Simulated ICU Family Meeting

CONTEXT

Conflict is frequently reported by both clinicians and surrogate decision makers for adult patients in intensive care units. Because religious clinicians view religion as an important dimension of end-of-life care, we hypothesized that religious critical care attendings (intensivists) would be more comfortable and perceive less conflict when discussing a patient's critical illness with a religious surrogate.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to assess if religious intensivists are more or less likely to perceive conflict during a simulated family meeting than secular colleagues.

METHODS

Intensivists were recruited to participate in a standardized, simulated family meeting with an actor portraying a family member of a critically ill patient. Intensivists provided demographic information including their current religion and the importance of religion in their lives. After the simulation, intensivists rated the amount of conflict they perceived during the simulation. The association between intensivist's self-reported religiosity and perceived conflict was estimated using both univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among 112 participating intensivists, 43 (38%) perceived conflict during the simulation. Among intensivists who perceived conflict, 49% were religious, and among those who did not perceive conflict, 35% were religious. After adjusting for physician race, gender, years in practice, intensive care unit weeks worked per year and actor, physician religiosity was associated with greater odds of perceiving conflict during the simulated family meeting (adjusted prevalence ratio = 2.77, [95% CI 1.12-7.16], P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Religious intensivists were more likely to perceive conflict during a simulated family meeting.

Family Surrogate Decision-making in Chronic Critical Illness: A Qualitative Analysis

BACKGROUND

Caring for an adult with chronic critical illness is a difficult undertaking. Family surrogates are tasked with decision-making on behalf of their loved one, particularly during acute-on-chronic illness episodes. Critical care nurses are well positioned and well qualified to facilitate this process.

OBJECTIVES

To explore family surrogate decision-making for people with chronic critical illness.

METHODS

In this qualitative study, interviews were conducted with family surrogates (n = 7) as part of a larger descriptive, longitudinal study (N = 264). Content analyses were guided by Miles and colleagues' methods of data analysis.

RESULTS

Family surrogates serving as decision makers for a spouse or another adult loved one were mostly female. Although decision-making was often described as "frustrating," most surrogates reported that they were "comfortable" with this role. Major decision-making themes were "communication as key in decision-making," "impact of past experiences," and "difficulties and coping." Advice from family and friends, health care providers (such as nurses), and faith or spirituality were significant resources for coping with decision-making challenges.

CONCLUSIONS

Results support recent recommendations of the National Academy of Medicine that endorsed shared decision-making. Data also support development of more effective team communication and decision support strategies, particularly addressing consistency and continuity. Critical care nurses can use their expertise to positively influence these outcomes.

Psychological Issues of Patient Transition from Intensive Care to Palliative Care

End-of-life care in the intensive care unit is fraught with complicated psychological responses by patients, families, and staff. Empathic and mindful communication, inclusion of all integral staff in decision-making meetings, and multidimensional support of patients and families can ease the transition away from aggressive life-prolonging to comfort-oriented end of life care. Primary palliative care communication strategies can help clarify goals of care and facilitate transitions. Early integration of specialist palliative care is recommended.

Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Relatives of Intensive Care Unit Patients and the Perceived Need for Support

Background:

Admission of a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the recovery process may be stressful for family members.

Objectives:

This study aimed to explore the families’ psychological symptoms and their evolution over the 1^st week of patients’ ICU stay. Additional objectives were the estimation of the families’ need for support and the estimation of satisfaction regarding the information provided by ICU physicians.

Methods:

A total of 108 individuals were participated in the study. Participants were interviewed with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and filled the Beck Depression Scale II on days 1 and 7 of patients’ ICU admission. They also filled a self-reported questionnaire which was created by the investigators, involving decision-making procedures; the satisfaction of the families of the patients’ care; and the support of the families by medical and nursing staff.

Results:

Anxiety levels were not significantly different among 2-time points, whereas rates of depressive symptoms raised significantly from 38% (day 1) to 58.3% (day 7). In cases of anxiety changes, age, education, closeness of relationship, and APACHE II score were the factors been associated. Changes in depressive symptoms were not associated with any of those factors. Over a week, there were significant differences in relatives’ views on participating in the decision-making procedure, and on expressing their opinion and concerns regarding the treatment process. Their attitudes about receiving support by the ICU personnel and even by mental health specialists, such as psychologists also changed.

Conclusions:

Over the 1^st week of ICU admission, depressive symptoms in patients’ relatives were gradually evolving, while anxiety symptoms fluctuated and they were affected by the severity of the patients’ condition. Attitudes toward treatment procedures and the perceived need for support also changed. These findings should be taken into account by the ICU personnel.

Effect of an ICU Diary on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Keeping a diary for patients while they are in the intensive care unit (ICU) might reduce their posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of an ICU diary on the psychological consequences of an ICU hospitalization.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Assessor-blinded, multicenter, randomized clinical trial in 35 French ICUs from October 2015 to January 2017, with follow-up until July 2017. Among 2631 approached patients, 709 adult patients (with 1 family member each) who received mechanical ventilation within 48 hours after ICU admission for at least 2 days were eligible, 657 were randomized, and 339 were assessed 3 months after ICU discharge.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients in the intervention group (n = 355) had an ICU diary filled in by clinicians and family members. Patients in the control group (n = 354) had usual ICU care without an ICU diary.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was significant PTSD symptoms, defined as an Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) score greater than 22 (range, 0-88; a higher score indicates more severe symptoms), measured in patients 3 months after ICU discharge. Secondary outcomes, also measured at 3 months and compared between groups, included significant PTSD symptoms in family members; significant anxiety and depression symptoms in patients and family members, based on a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score greater than 8 for each subscale (range, 0-42; higher scores indicate more severe symptoms; minimal clinically important difference, 2.5); and patient memories of the ICU stay, reported with the ICU memory tool.

RESULTS

Among 657 patients who were randomized (median [interquartile range] age, 62 [51-70] years; 126 women [37.2%]), 339 (51.6%) completed the trial. At 3 months, significant PTSD symptoms were reported by 49 of 164 patients (29.9%) in the intervention group vs 60 of 175 (34.3%) in the control group (risk difference, -4% [95% CI, -15% to 6%]; P = .39). The median (interquartile range) IES-R score was 12 (5-25) in the intervention group vs 13 (6-27) in the control group (difference, -1.47 [95% CI, -1.93 to 4.87]; P = .38). There were no significant differences in any of the 6 prespecified comparative secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients who received mechanical ventilation in the ICU, the use of an ICU diary filled in by clinicians and family members did not significantly reduce the number of patients who reported significant PTSD symptoms at 3 months. These findings do not support the use of ICU diaries for preventing PTSD symptoms.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02519725.

Family-clinician communication in the ICU and its relationship to psychological distress of family members: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Effective communication between family and clinicians has been identified as one of the most important factors in end-of-life care. Family members' perception of communication quality with clinicians may be associated with their psychological symptoms.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between family-clinician (physicians or nurses) communication quality and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress among family members of chronically critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs).

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

The participants were 71 adult family members of 71 patients who required prolonged mechanical ventilation in ten ICUs at three medical centres in Korea.

METHODS

Participants completed the Quality of Communication (QOC) questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). The data were analysed using correlation, bivariate regression, and multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) QOC score for physicians and nurses was 50.3 (15.2) and 42.9 (14.2), respectively. Forty-six participants (64.8%) were identified as being at risk for having anxiety symptoms; 22 (31%) had a mild risk and 24 (33.8%) had a moderate or severe risk. More family members (76.1%) were at risk for having depressive symptoms; 15 (21.1%) had a mild risk and 39 (54.9%) had a moderate or severe risk. For post-traumatic stress symptoms, 48 (67.6%) were at risk. While the QOC scores for nurses were negatively associated with participants' HADS-depression scores (β = -.01, p = .03), the QOC scores for physicians were not associated with the HADS or IES-R scores. This conclusion held after consideration of covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that communication between family members and ICU nurses may be more influential than that with ICU physicians on psychological distress of family members in Korea. However, further research is warranted to confirm this relationship. Future interventions to reduce psychological distress in family members of chronically critically ill patients may need to target ICU nurses for improving communication skills.

Family members' experiences of waiting in intensive care: a concept analysis

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore the meaning of family members' experience of waiting in an intensive care context using Rodgers' evolutionary method of concept analysis.

METHOD

Systematic searches in CINAHL and PubMed retrieved 38 articles which illustrated the waiting experienced by family members in an intensive care context. Rodgers' evolutionary method of concept analysis was applied to the data.

FINDINGS

In total, five elements of the concept were identified in the analysis. These were as follows: living in limbo; feeling helpless and powerless; hoping; enduring; and fearing the worst. Family members' vigilance regarding their relative proved to be a related concept, but vigilance does not share the same set of attributes. The consequences of waiting were often negative for the relatives and caused them suffering. The references show that the concept was manifested in different situations and in intensive care units (ICUs) with various types of specialties.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of concept analysis has brought a deeper understanding and meaning to the experience of waiting among family members in an intensive care context. This may provide professionals with an awareness of how to take care of family members in this situation. The waiting is inevitable, but improved communication between the ICU staff and family members is necessary to reduce stress and alleviate the suffering of family members. It is important to acknowledge that waiting cannot be eliminated but family-centred care, including a friendly and welcoming hospital environment, can ease the burden of family members with a loved one in an ICU.

Impact of post-traumatic stress symptoms on the health-related quality of life in a cohort study with chronically critically ill patients and their partners: age matters

Background

Survivors of an acute critical illness with continuing organ dysfunction and uncontrolled inflammatory responses are prone to become chronically critically ill. As mental sequelae, a post-traumatic stress disorder and an associated decrease in the health-related quality of life (QoL) may occur, not only in the patients but also in their partners. Currently, research on long-term mental distress in chronically critically ill patient-partner dyads, using appropriate dyadic analysis strategies (patients and partners being measured and linked on the same variables) and controlling for contextual factors, is lacking.

Methods

The present study investigates the interdependence of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and the health-related QoL in n = 70 dyads of chronically critically ill patients and their partners, using the Actor-Partner-Interdependence Model (APIM) under consideration of contextual factors (age, gender, length of partnership). The Post-traumatic Stress Scale (PTSS-10) and Euro-Quality of Life (EQ-5D-3L) were applied in both the patients and their partners, within up to 6 months after the transfer from acute care ICU to post-acute ICU.

Results

Clinically relevant post-traumatic stress symptoms were reported by 17.1% of the patients and 18.6% of the partners. Both the chronically critically ill patients and their partners with more severe post-traumatic stress symptoms also showed a decreased health-related QoL. The latter was more pronounced in male partners compared to female partners or female patients. In younger partners (≤ 57 years), higher values of post-traumatic stress symptoms were associated with a decreased QoL in the patients.

Conclusions

Mental health screening and psychotherapeutic treatment options should be offered to both the chronically critically ill patients and their partners. Future research is required to address the special needs of younger patient-partner dyads, following protracted ICU treatment.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register No. DRKS00003386. Registered 13 November 2011

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13054-019-2321-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Burden and Psychological Distress of Intensive Care Unit Caregivers of Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

Aim

Admission to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a stressful event and unforeseen crisis for the caregivers. Burden and psychosocial distress among caregivers in the ICU were unexplored. Therefore, the current study was aimed to assess the caregivers’ burden and psychological distress among caregivers of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients at emergency ICU during hospitalization.

Materials and Methods

A total of 60 caregivers recruited by using purposive sampling method with descriptive research design. Consent was obtained. Interview schedule of family for depression, anxiety, stress scale (DAS-21) were administered. The data were analyzed by using SPSS. Descriptive statistics and independent burden t-test were used.

Results

Results revealed that male caregivers (75%) and female caregivers (25%) took part in the study. Caregivers' mean age was found to be 35.22±11.29 years. Most of the TBI survivors admitted in ICU had severe injury (8.30±3.63). Mean scores showed that caregivers had experienced financial burden (6.28±2.36), severe depression (12.15±4.84), and a moderate level of anxiety (12.85±5.20). Independent t-test showed significant difference in caregiving burden between male and female caregivers at ICU (Male = 18.43±4.83; Female = 14.29±4.83; t = 2.16; p <0.035). Overall, caregivers experienced higher family burden and severe psychological distress at ICU.

Conclusion

There is an immediate need to assess psychological distress and family burden of caregivers at ICU and provide timely psychosocial intervention.

How to cite this article

Kanmani TR, Thimmappur RM, Birudu R, Reddy KN, Raj P. Burden and Psychological Distress of Intensive Care Unit Caregivers of Traumatic Brain Injury Patients. Indian J Crit Care Med 2019;23(5):220-223.

Outcomes and experiences of relatives of patients discharged home after critical illness: a systematic integrative review

BACKGROUND

Patients discharged from intensive care may experience psychological and physical deficits resulting in a long and complex rehabilitation upon discharge. Relatives are also vulnerable to psychological pathologies and diminished health-related quality of life following the patients' critical illness. Relatives often provide care during the patients' rehabilitation, which may influence their health.

AIM

To report the outcomes and experiences of relatives of patients discharged home after critical illness.

DESIGN

Systematic integrative review.

METHODS

Electronic databases Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, Embase®, and PsychINFO® were searched using keywords, synonyms, and medical subject headings. Reference lists of articles and critical care journals were manually searched. Studies eligible for inclusion reported primary research and were published in English between 2007 and 2017. Studies were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists. Data were extracted and then analysed according to framework.

FINDINGS

Twenty-five studies were included: 19 quantitative, 4 qualitative, and 1 mixed method study. Three themes were identified: health and well-being, employment and lifestyle, and caregiving role. Health and well-being reports the incidence and significance of psychological morbidity such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Employment and lifestyle describes the impact of caregiving on the relative's ability to work and engage in usual social activities. The final theme describes and discusses the caregiving role in terms of activities of daily living, knowledge and skills, and adaption to the role.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant and meaningful impact on outcomes and experiences of relatives of patients discharged home after critical illness. Relatives' caregiving is embedded within the context of their psychological morbidity and social adjustment.

RELEVANCE TO PRACTICE

If informal care giving is to be sustainable, there is a need to design effective strategies of supporting families through all stages of the critical illness trajectory.

Reprint of Recovery programme for ICU survivors has no effect on relatives' quality of life: Secondary analysis of the RAPIT-study

BACKGROUND

Relatives of intensive care patients are at risk of developing symptoms of anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress resulting in reduced health-related quality of life. Recovery programmes for patients have been implemented, but their effect on relatives is uncertain.

AIM

To determine whether relatives benefit from a recovery programme intended for intensive care survivors.

RESEARCH DESIGN

A randomised controlled trial of 181 adult relatives: intervention group (n = 87), control group (n = 94).

SETTING

Ten intensive care units in Denmark.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome: health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

SECONDARY OUTCOMES

Sense of coherence (SOC), and symptoms of anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress, compared to standard care at 12 months after intensive care discharge.

RESULTS

No difference in HRQOL between groups was observed at 12 months (mean difference in mental component summary score, 1.35 [CI 95%: -3.13; 5.82], p = 0.55; and physical component summery score, 1.86 [CI 95%: -1.88; 5.59], p = 0.33). No differences were found in secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The recovery programme intended for intensive care survivors did not have an effect on the relatives. Future recovery programmes should be targeted to help both patient and family, and future research should be conducted on a larger scale to make conclusions with higher probability.

The Impact of Social Support Networks on Family Resilience in an Australian Intensive Care Unit: A Constructivist Grounded Theory

PURPOSE

This article discusses the findings of a grounded theory of family resilience in an Australian intensive care unit (ICU) with a specific focus on families' experiences of their interactions with other members within their own family, and the families of other patients in the ICU.

DESIGN

A constructivist grounded theory methodology was adopted. Data were collected using in-depth interviews with 25 family members of 21 critically ill patients admitted to a tertiary-level ICU in Australia.

FINDINGS

The core category regaining control represents the families' journey toward resilience when in ICU. The major categories represent facilitators for, and barriers to, regaining control. One of the main facilitators is drawing strength, and it explains the manner with which families receive social support from their own and other family members to help them cope.

CONCLUSIONS

This study offers a framework to improve patient- and family-centered care in the ICU by facilitating families' ability to manage their situation more effectively. Social support offered by family members facilitates the families' ability to regain control. An ICU family resilience theoretical framework, situated within the context of the Australian healthcare system, adds to what is currently known about the families' experiences in the ICU.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The relationships that develop between families in the ICU may provide a source of social support; however, not all families welcome interactions with other ICU families, and it may cause further emotional distress. Further research is warranted to determine whether families suffer a secondary stress reaction from incidental interactions with other patients' families in the ICU. Furthermore, when family members pull together and offer social support to each other, they are better able to regain control. This process contributes to an ICU family resilience framework.

Searching for meaning: A grounded theory of family resilience in adult ICU

AIM

To explore families' experiences of their interactions in an Australian adult intensive care unit (ICU) to develop a grounded theory that can be used by critical care nurses to improve patient- and family-centred care (PFCC).

BACKGROUND

Families in ICU play an important role in the patient's recovery and outcomes. However, families are at risk of significant psychological morbidity due to their experiences in ICU. Although many ICU patients can make their own decisions, a large proportion are unconscious or chemically sedated and unable to contribute to decisions about their care, leaving the decision-making role to the family. Therefore, the families' psychosocial and emotional well-being must be supported by implementing evidence-based interventions that align with a PFCC approach. This study describes the findings of a grounded theory of family resilience in ICU, of which the core category is Regaining control. The focus of this paper is on the major category: Searching for meaning.

METHODS

We adopted a constructivist grounded theory method. Twenty-five adult family members (n = 25) of 21 patients admitted unexpectedly to an ICU in metropolitan Australia were recruited. In-depth interviews were used to collect the data, and the analytical processes of constructivist grounded theory underpinned the development of a core category and related subcategories.

RESULTS

When adult family members experience the unexpected admission of a relative to ICU, they move towards a state of being beyond emotional adversity and regaining control when facilitated to search for meaning in their situation. When families were able to make sense of their situation and find a purpose by contributing to their relative's recovery, it encouraged them to cope and be resilient.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings can be used to promote PFCC in ICU, which considers a collaborative approach to meet the patient's needs while providing emotional and psychosocial support to their families.

Pilot Study Assessing the Impact of Bereavement Support on Families of Deceased Intensive Care Unit Patients

BACKGROUND

Family members of patients who die in an intensive care unit (ICU) may experience negative outcomes. However, few studies have assessed the effectiveness of bereavement care for families.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of bereavement follow-up on family members' anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, prolonged grief, and satisfaction with care.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, prospective pilot study of 40 family members of patients who died in 2 tertiary care ICUs. Those in the medical-surgical ICU received bereavement follow-up (bereavement group); those in the cardiac ICU received standard care (nonbereavement group). Both groups completed surveys 13 months after the death. Surveys included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Family Satisfaction With Care in the Intensive Care Unit, Prolonged Grief Disorder, and a bereavement survey.

RESULTS

Of 30 family members in the bereavement group and 10 in the nonbereavement group, most were female and spouses, with a mean (SD) age of 60.1 (13.3) years. Significantly more participants in the nonbereavement group than in the bereavement group had prolonged grief. Posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and satisfaction with care were not significantly different in the 2 groups. However, overall posttraumatic stress scores were higher in the nonbereavement group than the bereavement group, indicating a higher risk of posttraumatic stress disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

Bereavement follow-up after an ICU death reduced family members' prolonged grief and may also reduce their risk of posttraumatic stress disorder. This type of support did not have a measurable effect on depression or satisfaction with ICU care.

Protocol and Fidelity Monitoring Plan for Four Supports. A Multicenter Trial of an Intervention to Support Surrogate Decision Makers in Intensive Care Units

Individuals acting as surrogate decision makers for critically ill patients frequently struggle in this role and experience high levels of long-term psychological distress. Prior interventions designed to improve the sharing of information by the clinical team with surrogate decision makers have demonstrated little effect on surrogates' outcomes or clinical decisions. In this report, we describe the study protocol and corresponding intervention fidelity monitoring plan for a multicenter randomized clinical trial testing the impact of a multifaceted surrogate support intervention (Four Supports) on surrogates' psychological distress, the quality of decisions about goals of care, and healthcare use. We will randomize the surrogates of 300 incapacitated critically ill patients at high risk of death and/or severe long-term functional impairment to receive the Four Supports intervention or an education control. The Four Supports intervention adds to the intensive care unit (ICU) team a trained interventionist (family support specialist) who delivers four types of protocolized support-emotional support; communication support; decisional support; and, if indicated, anticipatory grief support-to surrogates through daily interactions during the ICU stay. The primary outcome is surrogates' symptoms of anxiety and depression at 6-month follow-up, measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Prespecified secondary outcome measures are the Patient Perception of Patient Centeredness Scale (modified for use with surrogates) and Impact of Event Scale scores at 3- and 6-month follow-up, respectively, together with ICU and hospital lengths of stay and total hospital cost among decedents. The fidelity monitoring plan entails establishing and measuring adherence to the intervention using multiple measurement methods, including daily checklists and coding of audiorecorded encounters. This approach to intervention fidelity may benefit others designing and testing behavioral interventions in the ICU setting. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01982877).

What Families Need and Physicians Deliver: Contrasting Communication Preferences Between Surrogate Decision-Makers and Physicians During Outcome Prognostication in Critically Ill TBI Patients

BACKGROUND

Surrogate decision-makers ("surrogates") and physicians of incapacitated patients have different views of prognosis and how it should be communicated, but this has not been investigated in neurocritically ill patients. We examined surrogates' communication preferences and physicians' practices during the outcome prognostication for critically ill traumatic brain injury (ciTBI) patients in two level-1 trauma centers and seven academic medical centers in the USA.

METHODS

We used qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics of transcribed interviews to identify themes in surrogates (n = 16) and physicians (n = 20).

RESULTS

The majority of surrogates (82%) preferred numeric estimates describing the patient's prognosis, as they felt it would increase prognostic certainty, and limit the uncertainty perceived as frustrating. Conversely, 75% of the physicians reported intentionally omitting numeric estimates during prognostication meetings due to low confidence in family members' abilities to appropriately interpret probabilities, worry about creating false hope, and distrust in the accuracy and data quality of existing TBI outcome models. Physicians felt that these models are for research only and should not be applied to individual patients. Surrogates valued compassion during prognostication discussions, and acceptance of their goals-of-care decision by clinicians. Physicians and surrogates agreed on avoiding false hope.

CONCLUSION

We identified fundamental differences in the communication preferences of prognostic information between ciTBI patient surrogates and physicians. These findings inform the content of a future decision aid for goals-of-care discussions in ciTBI patients. If validated, these findings may have important implications for improving communication practices in the neurointensive care unit independent of whether a formal decision aid is used.

Developing a model of factors that influence meeting the needs of family with a relative in ICU

AIM

To develop a model of factors influencing meeting family needs when a relative was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

BACKGROUND

Studies identify individual factors impact on the needs of family members with a relative in ICU. No studies have reported on relationships between these factors and/or the extent of influence of multiple factors on family needs.

DESIGN

Observational, correlational, and predictive study design.

METHODS

Data were collected from August 2013 to June 2014 using validated scales and a demographic tool. The setting was a large tertiary referral hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Structural equation modelling was undertaken.

RESULTS

One hundred and seventy ICU family members participated. Factors included in the developed model were consistent with the literature. Family member anxiety had direct and significant influence on ICU family needs (β = 0.21). Gender was also found to have direct influence (β = 0.19), suggesting female family members were more likely to report needs being met. Family member coping self-efficacy (β = -0.40) and family member depression (β = -0.33) were mediating variables.

DISCUSSION

Interventions to meet family needs within the ICU should take into account family member levels of anxiety, depression, and coping self-efficacy with consideration of gender. Further model validation is required to confirm findings.

Family Members' Experiences With Bereavement in the Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND

Losing a loved one in the intensive care unit can be challenging for families. Providing bereavement support may assist in the grieving process.

OBJECTIVE

To describe family members' experiences with bereavement after the death of a loved one in the intensive care unit.

METHODS

This secondary analysis used an exploratory, descriptive design to study family members' experiences with bereavement. Family members of patients from 2 intensive care units in a tertiary medical center in the western United States participated. Audiotaped telephone interviews using a semistructured questionnaire were conducted. A qualitative, descriptive technique was used for data analysis. Two independent raters coded transcripts of audiotaped interviews with family members about their bereavement experiences.

RESULTS

Seventeen family members participated in the study. Most participants were female (n = 12; 71%) and spouses of deceased patients (n = 14; 82%), and their mean (SD) age was 62.4 (10.0) years. Three themes emerged: (1) bereavement was an individual experience; (2) situations occurring during the intensive care unit encounter remained significant for family members beyond a year after the death; and (3) social, cultural, spiritual, and religious events after the death hold importance for families of patients in the intensive care unit.

CONCLUSIONS

Bereavement is a challenging experience for families of deceased intensive care unit patients. The themes identified in this study add insight into the experiences of these family members. The results of this study may guide future interventions to help support bereaved families of intensive care unit patients.

Post-traumatic stress symptoms in family caregivers of intensive care unit patients: A longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES

To describe the prevalence and trajectory of family caregivers' post-traumatic stress symptoms during the first year after a patient's admission to the intensive care unit and identify associations between family caregivers' background characteristics, hope and post-traumatic stress symptoms.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGNS

Family caregivers of intensive care unit patients (n = 211) completed questionnaires at patient admission to the intensive care unit and thereafter at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Mixed-model analyses were performed.

SETTING

Four intensive care units in a university hospital in Norway.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Impact of Event Scale-Revised and Herth Hope Index.

RESULTS

On admission, 54% of family caregivers reported high post-traumatic stress symptom levels, which decreased during the first six  months after patient discharge. Lower levels of hope, being younger, having more comorbidities and being on sick leave were associated with higher post-traumatic stress symptom levels. Being the parent of the patient was associated with decreased post-traumatic stress symptom levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Family caregivers of intensive care unit patients report high levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Higher levels of hope were associated with fewer post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Family-centered outcomes during and after critical illness: current outcomes and opportunities for future investigation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Family-centered outcomes during and after critical illness assess issues that are most important to family members. An understanding of family-centered outcomes is necessary to support the provision of family-centered care and to foster development of interventions to improve care and communication in the ICU.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current family-centered outcomes in critical care include satisfaction with care, including end-of-life care, symptoms of psychological distress, and health-related quality of life. Novel measures include assessments of decisional conflict, decision regret, therapeutic alliance, and caregiver burden, as well as positive adaptations and resilience.

SUMMARY

Critical illness places a significant burden on family members. A wide variety of family-centered outcomes are available to guide improvements in care and communication. Future research should focus on developing sensitive and responsive measures that capture key elements of the family member experience during and after critical illness.

An Integrated Framework for Effective and Efficient Communication with Families in the Adult Intensive Care Unit

The increased focus on patient and family-centered care in adult intensive care units (ICUs) has generated multiple platforms for clinician-family communication beyond traditional interdisciplinary family meetings (family meetings)-including family-centered rounds, bedside or telephone updates, and electronic family portals. Some clinicians and administrators are now using these platforms instead of conducting family meetings. For example, some institutions are moving toward using family-centered rounds as the main platform for clinician-family communication, and some physicians rely on brief daily updates to the family at the bedside or by phone, in lieu of family meetings. We argue that although each of these platforms is useful in some circumstances, there remains an important role for family meetings. We outline five goals of clinician-family communication-establishing trust, providing emotional support, conveying clinical information, understanding the patient as a person, and facilitating careful decision making-and we examine the extent to which various communication platforms are likely to achieve the goals. We argue that because no single platform can achieve all communication goals, an integrated strategy is needed. We present a model that integrates multiple communication platforms to effectively and efficiently support families across the arc of an ICU stay. Our framework employs bedside/telephone conversations and family-centered rounds throughout the admission to address high informational needs, along with well-timed family meetings that attend to families' emotions as well as patients' values and goals. This flexible model uses various communication platforms to achieve consistent, efficient communication throughout the ICU stay.

Recovery programme for ICU survivors has no effect on relatives' quality of life: Secondary analysis of the RAPIT-study

BACKGROUND

Relatives of intensive care patients are at risk of developing symptoms of anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress resulting in reduced health-related quality of life. Recovery programmes for patients have been implemented, but their effect on relatives is uncertain.

AIM

To determine whether relatives benefit from a recovery programme intended for intensive care survivors.

RESEARCH DESIGN

A randomised controlled trial of 181 adult relatives: intervention group (n = 87), control group (n = 94).

SETTING

Ten intensive care units in Denmark.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome: health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

SECONDARY OUTCOMES

Sense of coherence (SOC), and symptoms of anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress, compared to standard care at 12 months after intensive care discharge.

RESULTS

No difference in HRQOL between groups was observed at 12 months (mean difference in mental component summary score, 1.35 [CI 95%: -3.13; 5.82], p = 0.55; and physical component summery score, 1.86 [CI 95%: -1.88; 5.59], p = 0.33). No differences were found in secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The recovery programme intended for intensive care survivors did not have an effect on the relatives. Future recovery programmes should be targeted to help both patient and family, and future research should be conducted on a larger scale to make conclusions with higher probability.