A survey of the attitudes and perceptions of multidisciplinary team members towards family presence at bedside rounds in the intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the attitudes and perceptions of intensive care unit (ICU) staff [critical care physicians and fellows (MDs), registered nurses (RNs), allied health discipline (HD) and managers] towards family presence at bedside rounds. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: We developed, tested and administered a questionnaire to the multidisciplinary staff. SETTING: 24-Bed medical surgical ICU. RESULTS: 160/221 (72.4%) individuals responded, including 12 MDs, 95 RNs, 48 HD personnel, 4 managers and 1 unspecified. While most MDs strongly agreed and HD and management groups somewhat agreed, most RNs strongly disagreed with providing family members the option to attend rounds. Over 50% of respondents either strongly or somewhat agreed that the presence of family members prolongs rounds, reduces the medical education provided to the team and constrains delivery of negative medical information. Compared to MDs, RNs expressed greater reservation to family presence at rounds. Among RNs, more experienced RNs, expressed greater reservation with family presence during rounds. CONCLUSION: We found significant differences among the attitudes of health care providers towards family presence at bedside rounds with RNs, especially more experienced RNs, expressing the greatest reservation. Qualitative research is required to explore perceived and actual barriers to family member presence at rounds.

Caring for a sibling with anorexia nervosa: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have explored eating disorders from the perspective of non-affected siblings. The aim of this investigation was to explore the unique experiences and challenges of siblings of women with anorexia nervosa (AN). METHOD: Twelve semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with sibling participants to ascertain their perspective of caring for a sister with chronic AN. RESULTS: Qualitative analyses gleaned six themes: (1) the sibling role as protector and mediator; (2) familial factors that influence and reinforce these sibling roles; (3) consequences and benefits of AN to non-affected sibling; (4) coping strategies; (5) current and future intentions of caregiving and (6) professional and informal support. DISCUSSION: The findings from this qualitative study provide a window into the perceptions, feelings, and roles of siblings of women afflicted with AN. An intervention guided by the elicited themes may facilitate family functioning that is more adaptive for both siblings.