Clinical Research Directory

Attitudes, Experience and Adaptation to Family Presence in the ICU

The goal of the study is to verify how healthcare professionals in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) experience the presence of family members before and after a more flexible visiting policy is introduced. The main question is : Does attitude and perception of the ICU staff regarding family presence in the ICU change after a period during which a more flexible visitation policy was implemented in daily care? Additional exploratory primary question Is sensitivity to stress related to the initial attitudes and perceptions of ICU- staff regarding family presence in the ICU, and to the way these attitudes and perceptions change after a period of implementation and adjustment to the more flexible visitation policy? The study consists of two main measurements: Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire before the change in visiting policy and again several months after the new policy has been introduced. The study also looks at which factors may make family presence feel more supportive or more demanding for healthcare professionals. Therefor some participants may also complete a short questionnaire about their experiences during work shifts. The visiting policy itself is part of routine ICU care and is not decided by the study.