The patient and their family’s perspectives on agitation and its management in adult critical care: A qualitative study

Samantha Freeman; Janelle Yorke; Paul Dark

doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2021.103163

The patient and their family’s perspectives on agitation and its management in adult critical care: A qualitative study

Samantha Freeman, Janelle Yorke, Paul Dark

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background
Agitation is frequently experienced by patients during critical illness, this is distressing for both the patient and their family. In addition, an acute episode of agitation can create management dilemmas for clinical teams. What is not understood is the patient and family’s perspective of agitation and any subsequent management strategies employed.
Objective
To understand the perspectives of patients and family members on the experience of agitation in adult critical care.
Method
An interpretive qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was undertaken with 13 participants, patient participants (n = 7) with the mean critical care length of stay 59 days (±70.88 days). Family members (n = 6) all opted to be interviewed with the patient present.
Findings
Three themes generated from the data: 1) The recollection of sensations and delusions. 2) Communication and its impact. 3) Managing agitation, what helped and what did not.
Conclusion
The presence of family members has a positive effect on the patient during episodes of agitation. Their involvement in care requires promotion.

Original language	English
Article number	103163
Journal	Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2021.103163 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2021.103163
Publication status	Published - 7 Dec 2021

Keywords

Agitation
Critical care
Family
Patient
Qualitative research

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title = "The patient and their family{\textquoteright}s perspectives on agitation and its management in adult critical care: A qualitative study",

abstract = "BackgroundAgitation is frequently experienced by patients during critical illness, this is distressing for both the patient and their family. In addition, an acute episode of agitation can create management dilemmas for clinical teams. What is not understood is the patient and family{\textquoteright}s perspective of agitation and any subsequent management strategies employed.ObjectiveTo understand the perspectives of patients and family members on the experience of agitation in adult critical care.MethodAn interpretive qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was undertaken with 13 participants, patient participants (n = 7) with the mean critical care length of stay 59 days (±70.88 days). Family members (n = 6) all opted to be interviewed with the patient present.FindingsThree themes generated from the data: 1) The recollection of sensations and delusions. 2) Communication and its impact. 3) Managing agitation, what helped and what did not.ConclusionThe presence of family members has a positive effect on the patient during episodes of agitation. Their involvement in care requires promotion.",

keywords = "Agitation, Critical care, Family, Patient, Qualitative research",

author = "Samantha Freeman and Janelle Yorke and Paul Dark",

note = "Funding Information: We would like to thank all the patients and families who gave their time to participate in the study. We would also like to acknowledge the support given from the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Critical Care team in relation to recruitment, in particular Sally Moore, Christine Bowyer and Emma Connaughton. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021",

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doi = "10.1016/j.iccn.2021.103163",

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AU - Freeman, Samantha

AU - Yorke, Janelle

AU - Dark, Paul

N1 - Funding Information: We would like to thank all the patients and families who gave their time to participate in the study. We would also like to acknowledge the support given from the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Critical Care team in relation to recruitment, in particular Sally Moore, Christine Bowyer and Emma Connaughton. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Publisher Copyright: © 2021

PY - 2021/12/7

Y1 - 2021/12/7

N2 - BackgroundAgitation is frequently experienced by patients during critical illness, this is distressing for both the patient and their family. In addition, an acute episode of agitation can create management dilemmas for clinical teams. What is not understood is the patient and family’s perspective of agitation and any subsequent management strategies employed.ObjectiveTo understand the perspectives of patients and family members on the experience of agitation in adult critical care.MethodAn interpretive qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was undertaken with 13 participants, patient participants (n = 7) with the mean critical care length of stay 59 days (±70.88 days). Family members (n = 6) all opted to be interviewed with the patient present.FindingsThree themes generated from the data: 1) The recollection of sensations and delusions. 2) Communication and its impact. 3) Managing agitation, what helped and what did not.ConclusionThe presence of family members has a positive effect on the patient during episodes of agitation. Their involvement in care requires promotion.

AB - BackgroundAgitation is frequently experienced by patients during critical illness, this is distressing for both the patient and their family. In addition, an acute episode of agitation can create management dilemmas for clinical teams. What is not understood is the patient and family’s perspective of agitation and any subsequent management strategies employed.ObjectiveTo understand the perspectives of patients and family members on the experience of agitation in adult critical care.MethodAn interpretive qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was undertaken with 13 participants, patient participants (n = 7) with the mean critical care length of stay 59 days (±70.88 days). Family members (n = 6) all opted to be interviewed with the patient present.FindingsThree themes generated from the data: 1) The recollection of sensations and delusions. 2) Communication and its impact. 3) Managing agitation, what helped and what did not.ConclusionThe presence of family members has a positive effect on the patient during episodes of agitation. Their involvement in care requires promotion.

KW - Agitation

KW - Critical care

KW - Family

KW - Patient

KW - Qualitative research

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JO - Intensive and Critical Care Nursing

JF - Intensive and Critical Care Nursing

SN - 0964-3397

M1 - 103163

ER -

The patient and their family’s perspectives on agitation and its management in adult critical care: A qualitative study

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Keywords

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