Communication barriers between staff member with family member intensive care unit: A grounded theory study

Abstract

Introduction: The patients with critical disease do not able to decision for care. Then, family and providers do it. One of the most important factors improve care is relationship between family member and staff members in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Creating an effective communication with patients is an essential aspect of nursing care. This study aimed to explore communication process among team members with patients' families in ICU. Methods: Based on the nature of the research question, qualitative study using grounded approach was used for collecting and analyzing data. A total of 22 participants (10 family members, 8 nurses, and 4 physicians) were selected based on purposive sampling. Sampling was terminated after saturation of emergent categories Data were collected through nonstructured individual interviews, observation. Subsequently; the data were analyzed according to the Strauss and Corbin constant comparative analysis method. Results: Data analysis has led to discover the main category that is called “superficial and ineffective individual relationship”as a main challenge for care team and hospitalized patients, families. They have used strategy is titled “effort” to solve this problem and strengthen the relationship. Extracted themes from this study include, unsuitable organizational conditions of social subclasses (social and cultural factors, inhibitory organizational atmosphere, job problems, indifference and disinterest of care team, and negative features of care team) also it needs strengthening the relationship, and mutual cooperation between care team and hospitalized patients, families in ICU. Conclusion: There are numerous problems and obstacles between care teams and hospitalized patients, families in ICU in communication process thus, to create effective and desirable communication, we must consider policies in educational, clinical and management plans of care and cure teams in universities and hospitals, also we must consider communication as the most important factor in this process.