Attitudes of medical staff and patient's relatives towards family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an adult intensivecare unit of Hong Kong

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the attitudes of family members of the patients and medical staffs towards the policy of family presence during the resuscitation and any difference in attitudes between two groups, and to examine the factors influencing their attitudes.

Methods: Descriptive questionnaire survey to analyze the attitudes, beliefs and concerns of family members of patients and medical staffs in the Intensive Care Unit of a district hospital in Hong Kong. Use chi-square test to compare family members and medical staffs to see any difference in attitudes about family presence during the resuscitation; and use logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with supportive attitudes towards family presence during the resuscitation in both groups.

Results: Among the respondents of 100 family members and 69 medical staffs, there were findings of significant difference in attitudes towards practicing FPDR, advantages of FPDR and disadvantages of FPDR between family members and medical staffs. Family members were more likely to support FPDR compared with medical staff (82% vs 36.2%, p<0.001). The attitudes towards different advantages and disadvantages were significantly different between family members and medical staffs. There was no difference between two groups in attitudes towards prerequisites for FPDR. Logistic regression analysis showed that family members who agreed beneficial effect of FPDR in relatives’ grieving process would be more likely to be supportive for FPDR (p=0.030, odds ratio (OR)=4.92, 95% confidence interval (CI)= 1.17-20.71) whereas the medical staffs who agreed beneficial effect of FPDR on family members would be more likely to be supportive for FPDR(p=0.003, OR=19.7, 95% CI 2.84-136.9).

Conclusion: The results showed the great discrepancy of attitudes towards FPDR practice, FPDR benefits and FPDR risks between family members and the healthcare providers. Policy change of implementation of FPDR was at the present moment not feasible and practical in Hong Kong because of the resistance from the medical staffs. But the information acquired in the study did indicate a strong support and need for FPDR by the family members. Further investigations and works were required to overcome the obstacles to enhance the development of FPDR program in Hong Kong healthcare setting.