Abstract
In the complex environment of intensive care units, needs of patients’ relatives might be seen as the lowest priority. On the other hand, because of their patients’ critical and often uncertain conditions, stress levels of relatives are quite high. This study aims to adapt the Critical Care Family Need Inventory, which assesses the needs of patients’ relatives, for use with the Turkish-speaking population and to assess psychometric properties of the resulting inventory. The study was conducted in a state hospital with the participation of 191 critical care patient relatives. Content validity was assessed by expert opinions, and construct validity was examined by exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to determine internal consistency. The translated inventory has a content validity ratio higher than the minimum acceptable level. Its construct validity was established by the EFA. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the entire scale was 0.93 and higher than 0.80 for subscales, thus demonstrating the translated version’s reliability. The Turkish adaptation appropriately reflects all dimensions of needs in the original CCFNI, and its psychometric properties were acceptable. The revised tool could be useful for helping critical care healthcare workers provide services in a holistic approach and for policymakers to improve quality of service.
Highlights
In intensive care units (ICUs), which mostly serve patients with severe health problems, healthcare workers need to make decisions that are simultaneously swift and correct
This study aims to provide an inventory for healthcare workers and policymakers to use for understanding critical care patient relatives’ needs and improving healthcare
16.8% were receiving intensive care because of trauma, while others were being treated for internal diseases
Summary
In intensive care units (ICUs), which mostly serve patients with severe health problems, healthcare workers need to make decisions that are simultaneously swift and correct. Meeting relatives’ needs—to be informed clearly and honestly, for example—might reduce their stress (Kutlu, 2000; Price et al, 1991; Siddiqui, Sheikh & Kamal, 2011). Physicians and especially critical care nurses are in the best position to help relatives (Leske, 1986; Ozgursoy & Akyol, 2008). Relevant literature studies have shown that the specific needs and concerns of relatives of critical care patients are not properly met (Curry, 1995; Kleinpell & Powers, 1992), and the most cited reason for not meeting the needs is misjudgement of the importance of those needs (Johnson et al, 1995; Leung, Chien & Mackenzie, 2000). Determining and understanding the dimensions of relatives’ needs seems the first step toward improving quality of service, and for exercising a major patient right—to be informed in a thorough and timely manner
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