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.