Families’ Needs of Critically Ill Patients in Critical Care Units at Three Main Teaching Hospitals in Al-Hilla City, Iraq

Abstract Background: One of the most unexpected events that cause anxiety and fear is admitting one of the family members or relatives to the critical care unit. It is not only the patient who suffers from the impact of the crisis but also his family members. Objective: The main aim of this research is to explore families’ needs of critically ill patients in critical care units as well as determine a relationship between these needs and sociodemographic characteristics. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with a purposive sample of ( N = 120) family members of critically ill patients was conducted in the period between September 1, 2022 to May 5, 2023 in three teaching hospitals in Alhilla City. A tool was used for the study consisting of two parts: the first represented the sociodemographic variables of the participants, and the second part included 45 items describing the needs of the patients’ families, divided into five subscales, and data were collected from the participants by interview. Results: The results of the study showed that the most important needs are assurance (3.46) and information (3.38), followed by comfort (3.09), proximity (3.06), and support (2.53). There were statistically significant relationships between the sociodemographic variables (educational level, relationship with the patient, the patient’s stay in CCU, and previous admission to the critical care unit) and needs subscales. Conclusion: Assurance and information are the most important needs of families. Sociodemographic variables play a role in the different needs.