THE MET AND UNMET NEEDS OF FAMILIES OF PATIENTS IN THE ICU

The qualitative research study detailed in this book seeks an understanding of the experience and needs of family members of patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) at a large, metropolitan hospital. The study in this text utilized a self-developed, semi-structured interview, transitioning the findings of the The Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI) (Molter, & Leske, 1983) into open-ended interview questions. The interviews queried participants about their needs related to their family member's stay in the ICU, their interactions with the health care team and any recommendations they wished to offer to family members of patients in the ICU and to the health care team. The interviews yielded multiple needs of family members of patients in the ICU including the need for: communication, information, visitation, vigilance, assurance, and “realistic hope.” Additional research investigating interventions designed to meet the families' needs and the role of social work in the ICU in meeting these needs is also indicated.