Author: Kanwal Fatima MScN student at Aga Khan University. She is also the gold medalist in generic BSN from ziauddin university having vast national and international experience in emergency and critical care nursing.
Families of patients in the ICU may go through severe and debilitating agony and worry.it is very difficult for a family to cope with the pain whose loved one is admitted to the critical care unit. Family members may face a variety of emotional and practical difficulties when a loved one is critically ill and in an intensive care unit. Here are a few typical causes of discomfort and stress. Erin K et al.(2011) discussed that families of younger patients and those whose mechanical breathing has not been stopped are more likely to have psychological symptoms and may be a crucial target population for care. A deeper relationship with the patient or more engagement in the patient's ICU care may be reflected in increased PTSD symptoms among family members present at the moment of death, but it also implies that family members should be given the choice to be present or not.
Families frequently experience uncertainty over the diagnosis and outcome of a loved one. They can be concerned about the long-term effects or terrified of losing their loved one. The seriousness of the circumstance may cause extreme anxiety and fear. It can be upsetting to see a loved one in a serious state. Families may experience helplessness, sadness, anger, or frustration. In addition, they could feel guilty or blame themselves and question what else they might have done. Moreover, the presence of a loved one in the ICU might interfere with family members' regular schedules and obligations. It can be difficult to manage the emotional toll while juggling work, caregiving, and other commitments. During this trying period, families may feel abandoned and neglected. They could have a hard time getting help from friends, family, or medical professionals for emotional support or practical help.
Hospitals and healthcare facilities may provide support services like social workers, chaplains, or family liaisons who can give information, emotional support, and assistance to aid with these difficulties. Connecting families with others who are going through similar situations can also be a benefit of family support groups or counseling services. It’s critical that families look after their own well-being. Hospitals and healthcare facilities may provide support services like social workers, chaplains, or family liaisons who can give information, emotional support, and assistance to aid with these difficulties. Pie Yu Chang in 2021 detailed that even though family carers feel there is a lot of social support, ICU health professionals should make an effort to find out what their actual requirements are. It is important to provide family members specialized treatments to help them deal with stress. Connecting families with others who are going through similar situations can also be a benefit of family support groups or counselling services.
During this difficult period, it's crucial for families to focus on their own well-being. This might entail asking dependable friends and family members for emotional support, engaging in self-care practices like exercise or meditation, and, if necessary, obtaining professional assistance. Keep in mind that every person's and family's experience is different, and being in the ICU can have different effects. It's critical to comprehend, care for, and assist families going through these difficulties.
References:
Ø Kross, E. K., Engelberg, R. A., Gries, C. J., Nielsen, E. L., Zatzick, D., & Curtis, J. R. (2011). ICU care associated with symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder among family members of patients who die in the ICU. Chest, 139(4), 795–801. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.10-0652
Ø Chang, P. Y., Chang, T. H., & Yu, J. M. (2021). Perceived stress and social support needs among primary family caregivers of ICU Patients in Taiwan. Heart & lung : the journal of critical care, 50(4), 491–498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2021.03.001
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