Methodological Insights From Evaluating a Family Member's Voice Reorientation Programme: An Interpretive Descriptive Approach.

Background: Interpretive descriptive design is a well-established methodology in healthcare research, offering novel insights into complex phenomena that may elude other qualitative methods. Although interpretive descriptive is effective in translating findings into clinical practice, its application to intensive care unit interventions remains limited. The intricate nature of the intensive care unit environment and the vulnerability of this patient group, necessitates methodologies that delve deeply into interactions and translate them into practical solutions.

Objective: This study applies an interpretive descriptive methodology to evaluate the Family Member's Voice Reorientation (FAMVR) programme, focusing on its impact on ICU patients, families and nurses and assessing its feasibility for clinical integration in delirium care.

Methods: The study involved semi-structured interviews with three patients, six family members and a focus group of eight nurses. The data were analysed thematically, revealing insights into how interpretive descriptive methodology can guide actionable insights into intensive care unit-based, family-led interventions.

Findings: Interpretive descriptive methodology enabled a nuanced exploration of the FAMVR programme, capturing how it influenced the emotional, cognitive and practical aspects of care for patients, families and clinicians. The study found that sensitivity to context was crucial in understanding participants' experiences within the high-stakes intensive care unit setting. The interpretive descriptive approach also allowed for a holistic view, incorporating physical, emotional, social and spiritual dimensions of care, thereby enhancing the intervention's relevance and applicability in delirium management.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that interpretive descriptive methodology is particularly well-suited for evaluating complex intensive care unit interventions, providing a comprehensive understanding of participants' experiences and yielding practical, family-centred recommendations. Findings suggest that interpretive descriptive methods can inform the refinement of interventions like FAMVR, making them more responsive to the unique needs of ICU patients and their families, while highlighting the value of family involvement in enhancing patient care. These insights position interpretive descriptive as a valuable approach for future qualitative research in healthcare settings.

Patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution.

Trial registration: ACTRN12622001568707; ANZCTR (https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=385122&isClinicalTrial=False).