title: Meeting the needs of families of patients in intensive care units.
abstract: Anyone entering an intensive care unit (ICU) can feel bombarded by the huge array of sensory stimuli. Family members in ICU are typically in a state of fear and shock. Studies have shown that caring for the families of patients who are critically ill is believed to be an essential component of the nurse's role. However, despite the fact that the critical care nurse is cited as the one who is responsible for meeting the needs of such families, little is known about how nurses view this role. This article discusses the ICU environment and its potential effect on families and nursing staff.
authors.affiliation: University of Salford, Manchester.
authors.forename: Jayne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hardicre
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D004645:Empathy; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011368:Professional-Family Relations