Meeting the Needs of Family Members of Trauma Patients in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Background: While the needs of family members have previously been studied, the needs of families of trauma patients have received less attention.

Objective: This study aims to assess the needs of family members of trauma patients in the emergency department.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey study was conducted over 4 months (February-May 2022) with family members of trauma patients admitted to the emergency department of a state hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. The validated Critical Care Family Needs Inventory - Emergency Department survey was administered face-to-face to a convenience sample of consenting family members.

Results: A total of 248 family members participated, representing 84 patients. The mean age of the participants was 33 (8.18) years, with a gender distribution of 50% women. On average, 76.5% of the family members' needs were met. The most important needs reported as mean (SD) were as follows: communication, 3.52 (0.68); participation in care, 3.52 (0.68); comfort, 3.36 (0.65); and support needs, 3.21 (0.72). These needs were met to varying degrees: communication 85%, participation in care 81.2%, comfort 75.4%, and support needs 65.2%.

Conclusion: The study findings indicate that the needs of family members of emergency department trauma patients are not fully met. Families report needing communication the most and comfort the least.