Sons and daughters with a parent hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

The aim of this study, in the area of Hospital Psychology, was to comprehend the experience of sons and daughters whose mother or father was hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit. Participants were 10 sons and daughters who responded to a socio-demographic questionnaire and a semi-structured interview, which were submitted to Content Analysis. The following were verified in the interviews: feelings of suffering and fear; concerns regarding the fact that the patient spends most of the time alone; lack of trust regarding the treatment offered by the healthcare team for the patient; lack of motivation to continue day by day routines; positive reappraisal such as personal, spiritual and professional growth, and satisfaction with the hospital team's care to the family. This data highlights the needs of these sons and daughters during their parent's hospitalization in an Intensive Care Unit and may support more effective care from the healthcare team for this population.