Family satisfaction in Egyptian adult intensive care units: A mixed-method study

Objectives: To examine family members’ satisfaction in adult intensive care units. Methodology: This is mixed-method research. Family members of critically ill patients responded to a structured questionnaire and then were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed separately and integrated during the discussion. Settings: Six adult intensive care units in university hospitals in Egypt. Main outcome measures: Family satisfaction was assessed using the Critical Care Family Satisfaction Survey and field notes of the interviews. Results: The mean total satisfaction score was 12.8 ± 3.5, and comfort has the lowest subscale mean score: 2.07 ± 0.96. Multivariate regression analysis showed that family members’ satisfaction was positively associated with their ability to communicate with patients (B [95% confidence interval]: 2.1 [1.19 to 3.02]) and negatively with daily purchasing of medications and supplies (−2.41 [−3.23 to −1.59]), low economic status (−1.57 [−2.47 to −0.67]), and perceiving patient condition to be deteriorating (−0.99 [−1.93 to −0.04]). Content analysis of qualitative data revealed four themes: aspects of family care, aspects of patient care, organizational and administrative issues and environment. Conclusions: In Egyptian adult intensive care units, regular family meetings, flexible visiting hours, shared decision-making, increasing staff-to-patient ratio and ensuring comfortable waiting rooms are promising strategies to enhance family satisfaction.