Family's Perceived Needs and Satisfaction with Intensive Care Services: A Questionnaire-based Prospective Observational Study

• Published in: Indian journal of critical care medicine Vol. 28; no. 5; pp. 483 - 494
• Main Authors: Atri, Viha, Bhatt, Margiben Tusharbhai, Chaudhuri, Souvik, Mitra, Aarohi, Maddani, Sagar Shanmukhappa, Ravindranath, Sunil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers 01.05.2024
• Subjects: Original; Decision-making; Treatment outcome; Intensive care; Consideration of need; Satisfaction; Family; Perception; Treatment of physical symptoms; Family satisfaction in the ICU 24 revised
• ISSN: 0972-5229; 1998-359X
• DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-24621

Holistic intensive care management involves the treatment of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) as well as catering to family psychosocial needs helping in bettering satisfaction/perception of care. There is scarce data in the Indian intensive care setting regarding the same, especially in times of increasing end-of-life practices. Our study aimed to determine the factors impacting family perception/satisfaction with intensive care. A total of 336 family bystanders of patients in ICU with more than 72 hours of stay were surveyed using family satisfaction in the ICU 24 revised (FS-ICU 24R) questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the significant factors associated with the satisfaction among bystanders of ICU patients were the treatment of patient's physical symptoms like pain/breathlessness (Adjusted OR 3.73, = 0.003), ICU staff's approach to family's need consideration (Adjusted OR 4.44, < 0.001), concern and care towards patients' family (Adjusted OR 2.67, = 0.023). Participation in patient care, ICU waiting room atmosphere, and emotional support are the other factors independently associated with satisfaction with ICU care. Family satisfaction was not associated with the patient's survival ( = 0.331, Chi-square test) or the length of ICU ( = 0.328, Chi-square test) and hospital stay ( = 0.865, Chi-square test). Treatment of a patient's physical symptoms like pain, approach to family's needs consideration, and concern/care towards the patient's family are independent factors associated with optimal satisfaction among family members of ICU patients, which even takes precedence over the survival outcomes or length of ICU stay. Atri V, Bhatt MT, Chaudhuri S, Mitra A, Maddani SS, Ravindranath S. Family's Perceived Needs and Satisfaction with Intensive Care Services: A Questionnaire-based Prospective Observational Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(5):483-494.