title: Addressing disruption in family life: exploration of the perceived needs of the families of patients hospitalized in critical care units in Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The stress faced by a family member impacts the whole family. Disease is a stressor that creates crises within families.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explores the perceived needs of the families of hospitalized patients in critical care units in the city of Arak, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a qualitative design and a content analysis approach. After purposeful sampling, semistructured interviews were held with 16 participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using constant comparative analysis, one main theme and eight subthemes emerged from the data. The main theme was "addressing the disruption in family life." The subthemes were "not being fully informed," "not receiving empathy," "feeling insecure," "being mentally unstable," "being concerned about their patient's future," "being dissatisfied with the lack of facilities for the families of patients," "dealing with financial problems," and "having turbulence intrude on family life."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study underscore that it is important for medical teams to carefully identify and attend to the needs of the family caregivers of hospitalized patients to reduce the disruptive impact of hospitalization on family life.
authors.affiliation: 1PhD, RN, Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran 2MS, RN, Instructor, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Davood
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hekmatpou
authors.forename: Hamid Reza
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Ebrahimi-Fakhar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003422:Critical Care / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological