Family Satisfaction with Care Provided in Intensive Care Unit; a Multi-Center, Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background

Healthcare provided in medical facilities should prioritize the needs of families, as it enhances the quality of care for the patients. Family satisfaction gauges how effectively healthcare professionals address the perceived needs and expectations of family members. Numerous factors, including information dissemination, communication, family dynamics, patient characteristics, hospital facilities, and the caregiving process, serve as predictors of family satisfaction. Thus, this study seeks to evaluate the satisfaction of families with the care received by patients admitted to the intensive care unit.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 400 participants was conducted across multiple centers from March to June 2023. Multicollinearity was assessed by examining variance inflation factors (VIF), while the goodness-of-fit was evaluated using the Hosmer and Lemeshow test. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were utilized to identify factors correlated with family satisfaction. Variables with a p-value below 0.2 in the bivariable logistic regression were included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Adjusted Odds Ratios (AORs) with 95% Confidence Intervals were computed to indicate the strength of association. In the multivariable analysis, variables with a p-value less than 0.05 were deemed statistically significant.

Results

The overall family satisfaction with the care provided in the intensive care unit was 58.6%, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 55.882% to 61.241%. Families expressed higher satisfaction levels with patient care (64.8%) and professional care (67.4%). However, they reported lower satisfaction levels regarding care provided for families (52.2%), the ICU environment (56.8%), and involvement of families in decision-making (55.8%). Lack of formal education (AOR: 1.949, 95% CI: 1.005, 4.169), completion of primary education (AOR: 2.581, 95% CI: 1.327, 5.021), and completion of grades 9–12 (AOR: 2.644, 95% CI: 1.411, 4.952) were found to be significantly associated with overall family satisfaction.

Conclusion and recommendation

The overall level of satisfaction is satisfactory. To enhance service quality and family satisfaction, healthcare providers should prioritize effective and regular communication with family members. Keeping them well informed about the patient’s condition and treatment plan is essential.

Keywords:

• critical care
• family satisfaction
• intensive care unit
• quality care
• satisfaction

Abbreviations

FS, Family satisfaction; ICU, Intensive care unit; MICU, Medical intensive care unit; MV, Mechanical ventilator; NICU, Neurological intensive care unit; PICU, Pediatric intensive care unit; SICU, Surgical intensive care unit.

Data Sharing Statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study were included in this published article and available on request.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Review Committee from the university of Gondar School of Medicine's ethical review board with letter number 06/01/4097/2015. All information were kept confidential and no individual identifier was collected. The aim of the study was explained to the participants, and informed consent was obtained. Anyone not volunteering for participation is informed that they have the full right not to participate or stop at any time. We have confirmed that our study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Ethical Consideration

Ethical clearance for this study was granted by the Ethical Review Committee of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Gondar (UOG). Prior to participation, each study subject provided oral informed consent after receiving a thorough explanation of the study’s objectives, purpose, and their right to refuse participation. Confidentiality measures were implemented to ensure the privacy and anonymity of participants’ information.

Acknowledgment

We express our sincere gratitude to our colleagues for their invaluable contributions, whether direct or indirect, to the development of this study. Additionally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the study participants for graciously agreeing to participate in our research. Their willingness to contribute has been instrumental in the advancement of our work.

Disclosure

The authors declared that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

University of Gondar.