TY - JOUR
T1 - Support for relatives in the intensive care unit
T2 - lessons from a cross-sectional multicentre cohort study during the COVID-19 pandemic
AU - Renckens, Sophie C.
AU - Pasman, H. Roeline
AU - Klop, Hanna T.
AU - du Perron, Chantal
AU - van Zuylen, Lia
AU - Steegers, Monique A. H.
AU - ten Tusscher, Birkitt L.
AU - Abbink, Floor C. H.
AU - de Ruijter, Wouter
AU - Vloet, Lilian C. M.
AU - Koster, Stephanie C. E.
AU - Onwuteaka-Philipsen, Bregje D.
N1 - Funding Information: This work was supported by a grant from The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw): 844001801. ZonMw had no role in the design of this study, the execution, analysis, interpretation of data or publication of results. Publisher Copyright: © 2023, The Author(s).
PY - 2023/12/1
Y1 - 2023/12/1
N2 - Background: Support for relatives is highly important in the intensive care unit (ICU). During the first COVID-19 wave support for relatives had to be changed considerably. The alternative support could have decreased the quality and sense of support. We aimed to evaluate how support for relatives in Dutch ICUs was organised during the first COVID-19 wave and how this was experienced by these relatives in comparison to relatives from pre-COVID-19 and the second wave. Additionally, we aimed to investigate which elements of support are associated with positive experiences. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional multicentre cohort study in six Dutch ICUs in the Netherlands. Written questionnaires were distributed among relatives of ICU patients from pre-COVID-19, the first wave and the second wave. The questionnaire included questions on demographics, the organisation of support, and the experiences and satisfaction of relatives with the support. Results: A total of 329 relatives completed the questionnaire (52% partner, 72% woman and 63% ICU stay of 11 days or longer). Support for relatives of ICU patients during the first COVID-19 wave differed significantly from pre-COVID-19 and the second wave. Differences were found in all categories of elements of support: who, when, how and what. Overall, relatives from the three time periods were very positive about the support. The only difference in satisfaction between the three time periods, was the higher proportion of relatives indicating that healthcare professionals had enough time for them during the first wave. Elements of support which were associated with many positive experiences and satisfaction were: fixed timeslot, receiving information (e.g. leaflets) on ≥ 2 topics, discussing > 5 topics with healthcare professionals, and being offered emotional support. Conclusions: Although, support for relatives in the ICU changed considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic, relatives were still positive about this support. The altered support gave insight into avenues for improvement for future comparable situations as well as for normal daily ICU practice: e.g. daily contact at a fixed timeslot, offering video calling between patients and relatives, and offering emotional support. ICUs should consider which elements need improvement in their practice.
AB - Background: Support for relatives is highly important in the intensive care unit (ICU). During the first COVID-19 wave support for relatives had to be changed considerably. The alternative support could have decreased the quality and sense of support. We aimed to evaluate how support for relatives in Dutch ICUs was organised during the first COVID-19 wave and how this was experienced by these relatives in comparison to relatives from pre-COVID-19 and the second wave. Additionally, we aimed to investigate which elements of support are associated with positive experiences. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional multicentre cohort study in six Dutch ICUs in the Netherlands. Written questionnaires were distributed among relatives of ICU patients from pre-COVID-19, the first wave and the second wave. The questionnaire included questions on demographics, the organisation of support, and the experiences and satisfaction of relatives with the support. Results: A total of 329 relatives completed the questionnaire (52% partner, 72% woman and 63% ICU stay of 11 days or longer). Support for relatives of ICU patients during the first COVID-19 wave differed significantly from pre-COVID-19 and the second wave. Differences were found in all categories of elements of support: who, when, how and what. Overall, relatives from the three time periods were very positive about the support. The only difference in satisfaction between the three time periods, was the higher proportion of relatives indicating that healthcare professionals had enough time for them during the first wave. Elements of support which were associated with many positive experiences and satisfaction were: fixed timeslot, receiving information (e.g. leaflets) on ≥ 2 topics, discussing > 5 topics with healthcare professionals, and being offered emotional support. Conclusions: Although, support for relatives in the ICU changed considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic, relatives were still positive about this support. The altered support gave insight into avenues for improvement for future comparable situations as well as for normal daily ICU practice: e.g. daily contact at a fixed timeslot, offering video calling between patients and relatives, and offering emotional support. ICUs should consider which elements need improvement in their practice.
KW - COVID-19
KW - Critical care
KW - Family Centred Care
KW - Family support
KW - ICU
KW - Relatives
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85165260894&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09756-2
DO - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09756-2
M3 - Article
C2 - 37464434
SN - 1472-6963
VL - 23
JO - BMC Health Services Research
JF - BMC Health Services Research
IS - 1
M1 - 763
ER -