Background

The severity of the disease and the anxiety caused by working with a patient in a critical situation increase the need of supporting both families and nurses.

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of implementing a supportive-educational programme for nurses on the family nursing practice, family satisfaction and family perceived support in the intensive care unit.

Material and methods

A non-randomised intervention study was performed on 90 patients’ family members and 72 intensive care unit nurses. The supportive-educational programme included a 6-hour face-to-face workshop for nurse managers to create a supportive work environment for nurses and a one-month online educational pro-gramme for nurses. The Family Nursing Practice Scale was completed by the nurses. The Family Satisfaction-ICU scale and ICE-Family Perceived Support Questionnaire were completed by the family members on the third and tenth day after the patient’s hospitalisation.

Results

A statistically significant difference was found between the mean score of family nursing practice before (Mean = 26.36, SD ± 4.9) and after the intervention (Mean = 20.66, SD ± 6.6). The mean score of family satisfaction on day 10 showed a statistically significant difference between the groups (intervention Mean = 73.97, SD ± 9.18, control group Mean = 92.15, SD ± 10.25). The mean score of the family perceived support was significantly different in both groups on the third day of hospitalisation (intervention Mean = 45.15, SD ± 9.18 and control group Mean = 48.4, SD ± 4.98) and on the tenth day of hospitalisation (intervention Mean = 43.84, SD ± 6.48 and control group Mean = 53, SD ± 4.29).

Conclusions

Simultaneous support and training of nurses working in the intensive care unit can increase the desired outcomes related to the patient’s family by improving their performance in relation to the family.