Editorial
Family care in intensive care units
Abstract
Critical illness, and subsequent hospitalisation, in an intensive care unit (ICU) is a stressful situation that disrupts the family system. Families experience emotional, physical and psychological reactions as they are confronted with the separation of family members, uncertainty regarding prognosis and recovery, unfamiliar surroundings and a potentially overwhelming financial burden. Recent studies suggest that with preventive strategies such as family-focused professional care and early intervention, the incidence of family dysfunction can be minimised
Author's affiliations
Shelley Schmollgruber, Department of Nursing Education, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Article History
Date published: 2019-08-15
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