Deakin University
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

The experiences of families of critically ill patients in Greece: A social constructionist grounded theory study

journal contribution
posted on 2009-02-01, 00:00 authored by S Plakas, B Cant, Ann TaketAnn Taket
Background: The experiences of patients’ families in intensive care units (ICUs) are of international concern. In Greece however, adequate attention has not been paid to this issue.

Objective: To explore the experiences of critical care patients’ families in Greece.

Setting: The intensive care units of 3 general district hospitals in the area of Athens, Greece.

Methodology
: The social constructionist version of grounded theory was used. In-depth interviews with 25 relatives of critically ill patients were carried out, and participant and non-participant observation was used to cross-validate the data obtained.

Results: Seven major categories were identified, with 32 components across all categories. The experiences of families revolved around the two core categories of “Intense Emotions” and “Vigilant Attendance”. The study conceptualised two new categories in this field, “Religiosity” and “Loss of Intimacy” and enhanced the category “Vigilant Attendance”. Three further categories were identified, namely “Caring”, “Dignity” and “Information”. The various interrelationships between the categories were also examined.

Conclusions
: The study has examined the experience of Greek patients’ families from a qualitative perspective and suggests that major changes need to be made in terms of management and support.

History

Journal

Intensive and critical care nursing

Volume

25

Issue

1

Pagination

10 - 20

Publisher

Churchill Livingstone

Location

Oxford, England

ISSN

0964-3397

eISSN

1532-4036

Language

eng

Notes

Available online 19 May 2008

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2008, Elsevier Ltd.

Usage metrics

    Research Publications

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC