Background: To prevent deterioration after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and to improve rehabilitation, the ICU team should use digital technologies to provide comprehensive and practical information alongside personalised support for survivors and their family members. However, a knowledge gap exists on the users’ preferences for such an e-health platform in ICU follow-up services. Objectives: This study aims to explore the opinions and priorities for an e-health platform, including choices in digital elements, according to survivors of critical illness and their family members. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used among members and other interested individuals of the Dutch volunteer organisation ‘Foundation Family- and Patient-Centred Intensive Care’. An investigator-developed questionnaire was disseminated through the newsletter and social media channels of the Foundation Family- and Patient-Centred Intensive Care. The results of this member consultation were analysed and reported as descriptive statistics on demographic variables and outcome measures in opinions and priorities of the participants. Results: Most of the 227 participants were female (76%), aged 46–55 years (33%), and completed higher education (70%). The participants reported high confidence in advice delivered through an e-health platform (72%). They prioritised the provision of a guide including relevant professionals who may support them during their recovery when using an e-health platform. Conclusions: ICU survivors prioritised the provision of relevant professionals who may support them during their recovery when using an e-health platform; however, selection bias means the population studied is likely to be more digitally connected than the general ICU population. Digital solutions could cater to their information and support needs. For family members, the highest priority reported was receiving help in managing their emotional distress. The development of an e-health platform considering the opinions and priorities of this target group could contribute to a personalised recovery trajectory promoting self-management while including digital elements addressing relevant ICU follow-up services.
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AimTo synthesize the literature on the experiences of patients, families and healthcare professionals with video calls during hospital admission. Second, to investigate facilitators and barriers of implementation of video calls in hospital wards.DesignScoping review.MethodsPubMed, CINAHL and Google Scholar were searched for relevant publications in the period between 2011 and 2023. Publications were selected if they focused on experiences of patients, families or healthcare professionals with video calls between patients and their families; or between families of hospitalized patients and healthcare professionals. Quantitative and qualitative data were summarized in data charting forms.ResultsForty-three studies were included. Patients and families were satisfied with video calls as it facilitated daily communication. Family members felt more engaged and felt they could provide support to their loved ones during admission. Healthcare professionals experienced video calls as an effective way to communicate when in-person visits were not allowed. However, they felt that video calls were emotionally difficult as it was hard to provide support at distance and to use communication skills effectively. Assigning local champions and training of healthcare professionals were identified as facilitators for implementation. Technical issues and increased workload were mentioned as main barriers.ConclusionPatients, families and healthcare professionals consider video calls as a good alternative when in-person visits are not allowed. Healthcare professionals experience more hesitation towards video calls during admission, as it increases perceived workload. In addition, they are uncertain whether video calls are as effective as in-person conservations.Implications for the Clinical PracticeWhen implementing video calls in hospital wards, policymakers and healthcare professionals should select strategies that address the positive aspects of family involvement at distance and the use of digital communication skills.Patient ContributionNo patient or public contribution.
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BACKGROUND: Family engagement in care for adult inpatients may improve shared decision making in the hospital and the competence and preparedness of informal caregivers to take over the care at home. An important strategy to involve family members in hospital care processes is to include them in (ward) rounds, also called 'family-centered rounds'(FCRs).OBJECTIVES: Summarize the evidence regarding the added value of FCRs from the perspectives of patients, family, and healthcare professionals.METHODS: A review protocol was registered a priori with PROSPERO (number CRD42022320915). The electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycInfo were searched for English-written systematic reviews with a focus on FCRs. The results and methods were presented in line with the PRISMA guidelines, and the methodological quality of the included reviews was assessed using the adapted version of the AMSTAR tool.RESULTS: Of the 207 initial records, four systematic reviews were identified covering a total of 67 single studies, mainly performed in critical and pediatric care. Added values of FCR were described at review level, with references to single studies. All four systematic reviews reported an improvement in satisfaction among patients, family, and healthcare professionals, whereby satisfaction is linked to improved communication and interaction, improved situational understanding, inclusion of family in the decision-making process, and improved relationships within the care situation.CONCLUSION: Although only limited research has been conducted on the value of FCRs in the adult non-critical care setting, and despite the existence of a variety of outcome measures, the results available from the pediatric and acute care setting are positive. The findings of the sole study in an adult non-critical patient population are in line with these results. Further research in adult non-critical care is required to verify its effects in this setting.
IC-verpleegkundigen van het Radboudumc, Ziekenhuis Gelderse Vallei in Ede en Rijnstate Arnhem hebben het lectoraat Acute Intensieve Zorg van de HAN gevraagd met hen een project te starten om familieparticipatie in de basiszorg vorm te geven. Het ontbreekt verpleegkundigen aan handvatten en ondersteunende tools hoe ze familie hierbij kunnen betrekken. Daar moet dit project een antwoord op geven. Het doel is te komen tot een werkwijze en tools die voor IC-verpleegkundigen en naasten ondersteunend zijn voor het betrekken van naasten bij de basiszorg voor de IC-patiënt en het praktisch handelen te verbeteren. In dit project wordt ontwerpgericht onderzoek toegepast om gedurende het onderzoekstraject met IC-professionals en naasten een geschikte tool en werkwijze te onderzoeken, zo nodig te ontwikkelen en deze te pilottesten op toepasbaarheid. Deelvraag 1 omvat een diagnosticerend deel met een kwalitatief explorerende studie. Deze fase bestaat uit focusgroepinterviews met professionals en individuele interviews met ex-IC-patiënten en hun naasten. Deelvraag 2 omvat een ontwerp-/ontwikkelgericht deel en is gericht is op “het ondersteunen van het professioneel handelen in kennisintensieve beroepen”. Het ontwerpgerichte deel bestaat uit het opstellen van ontwerpcriteria, een literatuurstudie naar beschikbare tools, ontwerpen van werkwijze en tools, testen van de werkwijze en tools, evalueren en zo nodig bijstellen van de werkwijze en tools. Deelvraag 3 omvat de testfase met voorlichting en scholing, het (pilot-)testen van de werkwijze en tools, analyse van de testresultaten, vragenlijstonderzoek en een focusgroepinterview. Dit project wordt gestart met consortiumpartners (HAN en 3 ziekenhuizen). Als niet-consortiumpartners zijn ervaringsdeskundigen (via Stichting Family and Patient Centered Intensive Care), professionals uit andere instellingen (Santeonziekenhuizen en het Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis), beroepsvereniging V&VN IC, en kennispartner IQ Healthcare betrokken. De ontwikkelde kennis en producten zullen via alle partners en hun netwerken verder worden verspreid om toepassing van familieparticipatie in de basiszorg aan IC-patiënten te vergroten.
