The Needs of Critical Care Unit Patient's Family Members in East Cost Malaysia : A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Involving family members is integral to the healing process and the patient's well-being in the Critical Care Unit (CCU). However, having a patient hospitalised in the CCU is quite challenging for the patient's family members and has become a traumatic experience for them. Therefore, the study objectives are to identify the important needs of CCU patients' family members and determine the relationship between their needs and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among family members of patients who were admitted to the CCU in one government hospital in East Malaysia. About 96 participants were identified using convenience sampling and answered 42 questions in the Malay Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI-M). The data were analysed using IBM-SPSS Statistics Version 25. Results: Most of the family members who cared for the patient in the ICU were female, 76% (n = 73). The findings demonstrated that family members ranked assurance (3.69 ± 0.26) and information (3.59±0.34) as the most important needs compared to proximity (3.18±0.46), support (3.04±0.50), and comfort (2.53±0.46). There was no association between family members' age, gender, and experience with assurance, support, comfort, proximity, and information needs when the p-value > 0.05. Conclusions: In conclusion, recognising and addressing the needs of the ICU patient's family members is crucial for the strategy of CCU patient-family-centered care. The result of the study informs the importance of the involvement of family members in supporting CCU patients. By prioritising their needs and offering tailored support, healthcare providers can contribute to better patient outcomes and improved family well-being.