Promotion of family integrity in the acute care setting: a review of the literature.
The acute illness of 1 family member can then negatively affect all family members and lead to the disruption of family functioning and integrity. During the patient's hospitalization, nurses are in a key position to support family members, maintain family integrity, and ready them for assuming the role of caretaker during the patient's recovery and management of health at home. This article reviews current research findings that provide empirical support for activities that promote family integrity. Strategies for nurses to support family members during the hospitalization of an adult family member and suggestions for future research are provided.
Van Horn
Elizabeth R
ER
Adult Health Department, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA.
Kautz
Donald
D
D000208:Acute Disease; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016638:Critical Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005192:Family Health; D006167:Guilt; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012944:Social Support; D014789:Visitors to Patients / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology