title: THE NEED FOR FAMILY MEETING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS ADMITTED INTO THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT: EXPERIENCE FROM A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN NIGERIA.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the knowledge of family members of patients admitted into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in terms of their patients' clinical state, reasons for admission and progress of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  General Intensive Care Unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five family members of patients admitted into the ICU were recruited. The data collected included socio-demographic characteristics, level of education, awareness of the indications for ICU admission, expectations of outcome and level of satisfaction with family meeting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty- six percent of family members claimed to be aware of the indication for admission into the ICU while 44% claimed ignorance. Only 24% of the family members who claimed to be aware were correct about the indication for admission. Among the participants, 36% were well informed about the prognosis of their patients' clinical condition. All the relatives interviewed were satisfied with the family meeting held with them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Majority of family members of critically ill patients were neither carried along in the management of their patients nor were they informed of likely outcome. A timely, well-planned and regular family meeting is therefore advocated in the management of critically ill patients.
authors: K U
authors: KU
authors: Tobi
authors: B I
authors: BI
authors: Abhulimhen-Iyoha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009549:Nigeria; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult