Family Presence During Resuscitation and Its Impact on Complicated Grief Among Bereaved Family Members: A Prospective Descriptive Study
Faculty Mentor
Patricia Nadraus
Area of Research
Nursing
Major
Nursing
Description
INTRODUCTION: Family members have traditionally been denied presence during resuscitation of their loved ones due to concerns about trauma associated with witnessing such invasive and lifesaving interventions. However, emerging studies demonstrate family presence may improve psychological outcomes by promoting closure, lessen grief and increased gratefulness towards the medical team after witnessing all the efforts directed towards resuscitating their loved ones. This proposed descriptive research project examines the effects of family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) on psychological impact, specifically complicated grief at six months after participating in FPDR.
METHOD: As a prospective descriptive study, participants in this study will include two groups: those who choose to be present during resuscitation and those who decline participation. Voluntary consent will be obtained after IRB approval. Inclusion criteria will consist of adult family members (>18) of patients undergoing resuscitation in acute care settings who are offered the option of presence, and English literate. Exclusion criteria will include individuals with a prior diagnosis of severe mental illness, cognitive impairment, or those currently grieving a loss. Statistical analysis will include chi square comparing between group analysis using the Inventory of Complicated Grief, (ICG) a 19 item Likert-type scale. The ICG scale has demonstrated previous reliability with an alpha coefficient of 0.94. Participants scoring 25 or greater on the ICG are considered high risk for complicated grief symptoms.
RESULTS: It is anticipated that the results will support existing evidence suggesting that family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) can help loved one's cope more effectively and mitigate complicated grief. Unique to this study is examining complicated grief at 6 months post event.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The findings of this proposed study may assist in developing a standard of care for family presence during resuscitation, assisting families willing to participate and provide the resources and preparation for presence, while acknowledging the potential consequence of complicated grief.
Family Presence During Resuscitation and Its Impact on Complicated Grief Among Bereaved Family Members: A Prospective Descriptive Study
INTRODUCTION: Family members have traditionally been denied presence during resuscitation of their loved ones due to concerns about trauma associated with witnessing such invasive and lifesaving interventions. However, emerging studies demonstrate family presence may improve psychological outcomes by promoting closure, lessen grief and increased gratefulness towards the medical team after witnessing all the efforts directed towards resuscitating their loved ones. This proposed descriptive research project examines the effects of family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) on psychological impact, specifically complicated grief at six months after participating in FPDR.
METHOD: As a prospective descriptive study, participants in this study will include two groups: those who choose to be present during resuscitation and those who decline participation. Voluntary consent will be obtained after IRB approval. Inclusion criteria will consist of adult family members (>18) of patients undergoing resuscitation in acute care settings who are offered the option of presence, and English literate. Exclusion criteria will include individuals with a prior diagnosis of severe mental illness, cognitive impairment, or those currently grieving a loss. Statistical analysis will include chi square comparing between group analysis using the Inventory of Complicated Grief, (ICG) a 19 item Likert-type scale. The ICG scale has demonstrated previous reliability with an alpha coefficient of 0.94. Participants scoring 25 or greater on the ICG are considered high risk for complicated grief symptoms.
RESULTS: It is anticipated that the results will support existing evidence suggesting that family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) can help loved one's cope more effectively and mitigate complicated grief. Unique to this study is examining complicated grief at 6 months post event.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The findings of this proposed study may assist in developing a standard of care for family presence during resuscitation, assisting families willing to participate and provide the resources and preparation for presence, while acknowledging the potential consequence of complicated grief.