Systematic Review of Family Engagement Interventions in Neonatal, Paediatric, and Adult ICUs

Authors

Natalie S. McAndrew, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Teresa Jerofke-Owen, Marquette UniversityFollow
Christine A. Fortney, Ohio State University
Breanna Hetland, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Deena K. Costa, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Jill L. Guttormson, Marquette UniversityFollow
Eric Harding, Medical College of Wisconsin

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2021

Publisher

Wiley

Source Publication

Nursing in Critical Care

Source ISSN

0283-9318

Abstract

Aims and objectives

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate interventions that have been used to engage families in direct care activities (active family engagement) in adult, paediatric, and neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) settings.

Background

Family engagement is universally advocated across ICU populations and practice settings; however, appraisal of the active family engagement intervention literature remains limited.

Search strategy

Ovid Medline, PsycArticles & PsycInfo, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched for family interventions that involved direct care of the patient to enhance the psychological, physical, or emotional well‐being of the patient or family in neonatal, paediatric, or adult ICUs.

Inclusion/exclusion criteria

Studies were included if an active family engagement intervention was evaluated. Studies were excluded if they were not published in English or reported non‐interventional research.

Results

A total of 6210 abstracts were screened and 19 studies were included. Most studies were of low to moderate quality and were conducted in neonatal ICUs within the United States. Intervention dosage and frequency varied widely across studies. The interventions focused on developmental care (neonatal ICU) and involved families in basic patient care. Family member outcomes measured included satisfaction, stress, family‐centred care, confidence, anxiety, and depression. Most studies found improvements in one or more outcomes.

Conclusions

There is a paucity of literature about active family engagement interventions, especially in adult and paediatric populations. The optimal dosage and frequency of family engagement interventions remains unknown. Our systematic review found that data are limited on the relationship between family engagement and patient outcomes, and provides a timely appraisal to guide future research.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Further research on the efficacy of family engagement interventions is warranted. The translation of active family engagement interventions into clinical practice should also be supported.

Comments

Published version. Nursing in Critical Care, Vol.27, No.3 (2022):296-325. DOI. © 2022 Wiley. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

McAndrew, Natalie S.; Jerofke-Owen, Teresa; Fortney, Christine A.; Hetland, Breanna; Costa, Deena K.; Guttormson, Jill L.; and Harding, Eric, "Systematic Review of Family Engagement Interventions in Neonatal, Paediatric, and Adult ICUs" (2021). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 758.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/758