Open AccessFeasibility of an Intervention Study to Support Families When Their Loved One Has Life-sustaining Therapy Withdrawn
Author(s) -
Barbara Scharf,
Shijun Zhu,
Sarah Tomlin,
Jooyoung Cheon,
Kim Mooney-Doyle,
Judith Gedney Baggs,
Debra Weigand
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of hospice and palliative nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.457
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1539-0705
pISSN - 1522-2179
DOI - 10.1097/njh.0000000000000717
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , psychosocial , anxiety , norm (philosophy) , intervention (counseling) , clinical psychology , psychology , medicine , family therapy , family support , family member , psychiatry , family medicine , physical therapy , political science , law
This investigation addressed family member perceptions of preparation for withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in the intensive care unit. These families are at a high risk for psychosocial and physical sequelae. The quantitative results of this mixed methods study are reported. A control group received usual care and an educational booklet component of the intervention. The experimental group received the above plus exposure to comfort cart items and additional psychological support. Twenty-eight family members enrolled over a 13-month period. Sixty-one percent (10 intervention, 7 control) completed the follow-up. Fourteen family members (82%) recalled the booklet. Some family members reported moderate to severe depression (12.5%), anxiety (12.5%), and stress (12.6%). Satisfaction with care (83.7%-85.2%) and family member well-being (44.1) were within the norm. Short Form-36 physical component score was higher than the norm, and the mental component score was lower than the norm. This study demonstrated feasibility and acceptability of the interventions and follow-up questionnaires when families make the difficult decision to withdraw treatment. Strategies are suggested to strengthen statistical power.