Development of a workshop to assist nurses to meet the needs of family members of patients in the critical care unit in a private hospital in Gauteng

Abstract

The admission of a patient to the critical care unit is one of the most stressful events in any family. Critical hospitalization generates high stress for both the patient and families, often leading to a crisis and negative experiences during theirstay. Families may feel vulnerable and helpless with no clear knowledge of what to expect from the nurses working in the critical care unit. Nurses are members of the healthcare team who are best placed to support the family members of patients in the critical care unit throughout the patients’ stay and on 24 houra day basis. Family members have specific needs which need to be understood by the nurses working in the critical care unit. If these needs are not identified and met, the family members will be left frustrated and in fear. Understanding the family member’s needs can help nurses working in the critical care units, to deliver quality of care to the patients in a family centred manner. Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the study was to develop a workshop to assist nurses to meet the needs of family members of patients in the Critical Care Unit in a private hospital in Gauteng. Research Methods: A qualitative, exploratory study using focus groups as a data collection method was conductedin two phases. Convenience sampling was used for both phases. In the first phase semi-structured interviews were used to explore the perceptions of family members of how nurses can meet their needs. The second phase consisted of the development of a workshop designed to assist nurses to meet family needs. The size of the sample for Phase Onecomprised of eighteen (18) family members in six (6) family groups. In Phase Two, experts were used to evaluate the workshop. Experts were considered to be family members, educators and Critical Care nurses. These comprised 5 family members, 10 CCU nurses and 7 nurse educators. The study took place in the critical care unit in a private hospital in Gauteng. Family members were asked three questions relating to their needs and how the nurses could help them meet their needs. The data was recorded and transcribed and subjected to thematic content analysis. A workshop was then developed based on the findings of the focus groups. Main Findings: In the first phase of the study,the two themesof needs of family members were identified. These were: (i) information needs and (ii) the need for support. The second phase of the study consisted of the development of a workshop designed to assist nurses to meet family needs. While applying the steps of the ADDIE model it became clear that a constructivist approach was most appropriate to assist nurses to meet the needs of family members. The workshop was therefore designed for maximum participation and provided opportunities to engage with the research material to ensure the learning was relevant. The workshop was then evaluated by a group of experts who consisted of amily members, CCU nurses for whom the workshop was designed and nurse educators. Conclusion: The findings of this study support what is already known about information and support needs of family members of patients in the Critical Care Units. The study confirmed that the needs of family members in the private hospital CCU were no different to those in other general hospital wards. A common approach to meeting these needs should therefore be explored and shared. Development of the workshopto assist critical care unit nurses to meet to these needs was an attempt to commence this dialogue and provide a practical tool for doing this.