Obstacles and Solutions of Family Participation in Intensive Care Unit: Qualitative Content Analysis

The basis of family-centered care is the participation of patients and their families in health decisions. Despite the advantages of family involvement in intensive care, this method is associated with many obstacles. Therefore, the present study aimed to explain the obstacles and suggested solutions for family participation in the ICU.

This qualitative study of contract content analysis was conducted in Tehran in 1402. The tools for collecting experiences were open questions and semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was used to identify the participants. The selection of samples was done by observing the principle of maximum diversity to achieve a diverse range of experiences. Sampling continued until information saturation, with no formation of classes and subclasses and new information. Qualitative data analysis was performed using the four stages of content analysis of Elo and Kyngäs (2008). Lincoln and Guba's four acceptability criteria were used to strengthen the results.

In this study, 15 participants, including four family members of patients, four nurses, and seven managers of the studied hospital with an average age of 49.53±12.09 years and an average years of service of 16.73±10.22 years participated. The results consisted of four classes: barriers related to the family, barriers related to the treatment team, barriers related to the physical structure of the department, and organizational barriers; 13 subclasses and 21 codes were formed.

Using solutions such as holding training workshops on communication skills with patients and families, anger control methods, and allocating funds to create favorable changes in the physical space of the ICU and providing nurses can help effectively implement this approach