Effects of a person-centred care intervention in an intensive care unit: Using mixed methods to examine nurses' perspectives

Aim: We identified nurses' experiences and changes in person- and family-centred care (PFCC) after applying a family-visiting programme in an intensive care unit (ICU).

Background: Critical care provision is shifting to include communication among patients, families and health care providers.

Methods: We used mixed methodology and a group pre- and post-test design. In 2019, 30 ICU nurses completed an 8-week programme, including keeping a diary and completing fundamental care activities. A survey of PFCC nursing performance was completed pre- and post-programme, and 15 nurses were interviewed post-programme. Performance differences were examined through paired t tests; qualitative data were analysed by thematic analysis.

Results: The pre- and post-scores were 3.06 ± 0.34 and 4.00 ± 0.29, respectively (t = 17.38, p =.000), and five main themes and 13 subtopics were revealed. Most nurses 'discovered the importance of nursing through a truthful relationship with ICU patients' families'.

Conclusion: For effective PFCC, changes in nurses' perceptions and hospital organisation are required, such as improving the ICU working environment, assigning suitable health care personnel to provide care and implementing open-visit programmes.

Implications for nursing management: Hospital policymakers and nurse managers should take care to provide staff support and high-quality patient care to realize effective PFCC.