An exploration of family-centred care in Neuman's model with regard to the care of the critically ill adult in an accident and emergency setting.

ABSTRACT

In Accident and Emergency (A & E) departments there is a tendency to separate relatives from critically ill patients, and although in many departments the relatives have a nurse allocated to care for them, this care is often given in a separate 'relatives' room. This article explores the meanings of family, family nursing and family systems nursing in the context of an A & E setting and using Neuman's (1989) model to highlight family dynamics. The intention is to allow the thinking A & E nurse to reflect on care given in the department, so that individualised care can be given with consideration to the relationships that the person has before they take on the status of 'patient'. Thus, the article is meant to be thought-provoking rather than prescriptive.