The needs of members of the families of general hospital inpatients.
OBJECTIVE
The needs of members of the families of intensive care unit patients have been studied, but little is known about the needs of members of the families of general hospital inpatients, especially patients with chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to identify the needs of members of the families of general hospital inpatients and investigate associations between these needs and the patients' clinical and psychiatric profiles.


METHODS
Descriptive study, in a public teaching hospital.


METHODS
A random sample of 47 patients and members of their families was studied. Family members' needs were investigated using the critical care family needs inventory and the patients' clinical profiles were investigated using the hospital anxiety and depression scale, confusion assessment method and Karnofsky performance status. The frequencies of family members' needs were described and the patients' clinical and psychiatric characteristics were correlated with the needs using the chi-squared test.


RESULTS
Chronic patients predominated and the needs for reassurance and information were indicated as the most important by all members of their families. No associations were found between the patients' characteristics and the needs of members of their families during the hospitalization.


CONCLUSIONS
The needs indicated by members of the families of general hospital inpatients were similar to those of members of the families of patients in intensive care units: they considered it very important to be reassured and kept informed throughout the hospitalization.
Department of Psychiatry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. aclucchese@psiquiatria.epm.br
Ana Cecília
AC
Lucchese
Vanessa de Albuquerque
Vde A
Citero
Mario Alfredo
MA
De Marco
Sergio Baxter
SB
Andreoli
Luiz Antonio
LA
Nogueira-Martins
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006760:Hospitalization; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D055815:Young Adult