Comparing the Perceptions of Nurses and Patients’ Families About the Expectations of Patients’ Families in Intensive Care Unit

Background Properly identifying the expectations of family members of patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) is a necessity for nurses. Objective The present study aimed to determine and compare the expectations of ICU patients’ families according to the perceptions of ICU nurses and family members. Methods In this descriptive-analytical study, 147 families of ICU patients and 137 ICU nurses of hospitals in Qazvin were selected as study samples through a census method. Data were collected using Molter’s Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI), and data analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation test, one-way ANOVA and chi-square at a significant level of P 0.05. Findings The overall score of CCFNI and its subscales for the family members were significantly higher than in the nurses (P 0.001). The degree of importance and prioritization of family expectations were different between patients’ families and nurses. The reason for patient hospitalization had a significant association with the overall score of CCFNI and its subscales. Moreover, the family history of hospitalization showed a significant correlation with the CCFNI subscales of information and proximity (P 0.05). The age and work experience of nurses had a significant association with the CCFNI subscales of information, assurance, and comfort (P 0.05). Conclusion Family members of ICU patients and nurses have different perceptions of the expectations of patients’ families. Nurses need to consider the expectations of patients’ family members.