Abstract
BackgroundDelirium is a common condition in critically ill patients, affecting nearly half of all patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Family caregivers of critically ill patients can be partners in the early recognition, prevention and management of delirium provided they are aware of the signs/symptoms and appropriate non-pharmacological strategies that might be taken. Valid, reliable instruments that assess family caregiver knowledge are essential so that nurses can prepare family caregivers to be effective partners. The purpose of the current study was to (a) adapt an existing caregiver delirium knowledge questionnaire (CDKQ) for use by nurses to measure a family caregiver’s delirium knowledge in the ICU; and (b) examine the psychometric properties and structure of the adapted Caregiver ICU Delirium Knowledge Questionnaire (CIDKQ).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a multidisciplinary team developed the 21-item CIDKQ (possible score range: 0–21) and administered it to 158 family caregivers of critically ill patients. Descriptive statistics were examined for all variables. The CIDKQ was analyzed for face validity, content validity, reliability and internal consistency.ResultsThe mean CIDKQ score was 14.1 (SD: 3.5, range = 2 to 21). Path analysis revealed that a family caregiver’s delirium knowledge in the actions and symptoms dimensions had a direct effect on knowledge of delirium risk factors. The CIDKQ was found to have face validity and reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.79).ConclusionsThe findings indicated good validity and reliability of the CIDKQ as a measure of ICU delirium knowledge in family caregivers of critically ill patients.
Highlights
Delirium is a common condition in critically ill patients, affecting nearly half of all patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU)
Delirium is a common neuropsychiatric complication in the ICU that affects over 50% of critically ill patients [1,2,3] and is associated with negative short-term and long-term outcomes (e.g., post-intensive care syndrome, (PICS)) [4]
Caregivers often experience distress from witnessing delirium in their loved ones [5,6,7,8], which can lead to the development of adverse psychological outcomes after ICU discharge known as Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS)-Family [9,10,11]
Summary
Delirium is a common condition in critically ill patients, affecting nearly half of all patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Krewulak et al BMC Health Services Research (2020) 20:116 questionnaire (CDKQ) to help nurses evaluate a family caregivers’ delirium knowledge exists, but was validated in community-dwelling family caregivers of elective knee and hip patients [14]. The purpose of this study was to (a) adapt the existing CDKQ for use in family caregivers of critically ill patients in the ICU and (b) establish the validity and reliability of this Caregiver ICU Delirium Knowledge Questionnaire (CIDKQ). Nurses can use the CIDKQ to target learning needs of family caregivers and better prepare them to partner in the prevention and management of delirium. This might improve patient- and family-centred outcomes
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