Dr Michelle Jones1, Dr Helen McLaren2, Ms Samantha Laver1, Ms Marion Champion3
1Justice and Society, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia, 2Allied Health, Australian Catholic University, Thebarton, Australia, 3NALHN, SA Health, Elizabeth Vale, Australia
Biography:
Dr Michelle Jones is an experienced and innovative social work researcher, educator and practitioner who is committed to social justice, continuous learning and research knowledge translation. She is student-centred and committed to developing work-ready graduates reflecting her career traversing both industry and the academy. Before returning to the academy in 2017, Michelle worked as a research evaluator for SA Health and Correctional Services evaluating their public health, childhood obesity prevention and offender programs, respectively. She also worked as a social worker in women's health for Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service and Pregnancy Advisory Centre.
Abstract:
Family Meetings are routinely used to support consumer and family engagement in health care and decision-making. Acknowledging that communication is critical to the successful delivery of services to patients, Family Meetings ensure that consumer experiences, perspectives and needs contribute to health outcomes. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is one such setting where Family Meetings are routinely held, and timely decisions must be made.
This study examined the experiences of family meetings from the perspectives of family members of five ICU patients, and six ICU staff. Data were collected via in-depth qualitative interviews, analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Analysis identified commonalities and differences in experiences across the two cohorts.
Results in common centred on communication, consistency, family meeting processes, and environments. Family members reported needing more information, and support in response to emotions and grief. ICU staff identified time pressures that frequently hampered responding. In addition, systemic opportunities and practices were identified, including reinstituting daily interprofessional meetings (stopped during COVID-19), uptake of mnemonics to guide consistency in approach in Family Meetings, and the development of resources for consumers about family meetings, patient rights, decision-making, and how to ask questions. This requires equipping individuals with information that will support them to participate and make informed decisions in Family Meetings. A nuanced approach to communications and assessment of health literacy is required. Finally, the study identified that the stability and consistency of the workforce would be most critical to the delivery of care to both patients and their family members in the ICU.