Crisis Intervention with Critical Care Families

The purpose of this quasi-experimental design study was to measure the effect of the Family Crisis Intervention Program (FCIP), following an acute myocardial infarction, on family need satisfaction, family functioning, and patient stress. The study sample consisted of 59 diagnosed AMI patient/family member representative (FMR) pairs: 30 in the experimental group who received the FCIP intervention during the first 3 days of the patient's hospital stay; and 29 in the blind control group, who did not receive the intervention.

Family need satisfaction was measured by the Family Need Satisfaction and Family Need Importance questionnaire. Family functioning was measured by the Cardiac Family Coping Instrument. Patient stress was measured by the Stress of Discharge Assessment Tool: Version two. The intervention consisted of three semi-structured interview sessions with FMR and other family members. Following the intervention (on day 4), both groups were asked to respond to the following questions: "Has there been any nurse, during the patient's care in Coronary Care Unit for this hospitalization, who was particularly helpful to your family during the patient's hospitalization?" and "In your own words, how has this nurse been helpful?"

Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample, the hypotheses were tested using a two-group t-test at the p
No statistically significant between-group difference was found in any of the variables: family need satisfaction, family functioning, and patient stress. There was no significant difference in the responses of the two groups to the two questions noted above.

Limitations of this study included: (1) the use of only one study site may have introduced confounding environmental variables, (2) the use of a nurse as the Research Assistant may have "contaminated" the intervention, (3) family functioning and adjustment to acute myocardial infarction was only measured at the time of hospitalization. A qualitative longitudinal study design that measures family adjustment to acute myocardial infarction, not only at the time of hospitalization, but also at 3- and 6- month intervals may better detect trends in family functioning, and (4) no quantitative data questions were included.

Acute myocardial infarction patients include active duty soldiers who are frequently retained on active duty and would benefit from optimal family support. An effective military nursing intervention to promote family support would be a valuable asset.

FINAL REPORT UNAVAILABLE