Air medical transport: what the family wants to know.
BACKGROUND
The needs of family members of intensive care unit patients are well-documented, but there is little published about the specific needs of family members of air medical patients.


OBJECTIVE
This study was devised to identify family member's information needs regarding air medical transport.


METHODS
Using a descriptive correlational design, 100 family members of air medical patients completed a 14-item Likert-format questionnaire. Each item addressed an information need and asked how important the information was to the family member and how much of this information they received.


RESULTS
The information needs most frequently ranked as very important related to the patient's condition, the patient's admitting unit at the receiving hospital, and being able to see the patient prior to flight. Information most frequently received by the family related to the patient's condition.


CONCLUSIONS
Flight crews need to be cognizant of families' needs and develop ways to improve communication with the family to meet those needs.
University of Kentucky Hospital, Lexington 40536.
J H
JH
Fultz
J L
JL
McKee
F R
FR
Zalaznik
P S
PS
Kidd
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017732:Air Ambulances; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007629:Kentucky; D008875:Middle Aged; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires