Communication strategies for effective family-clinician conversations in the intensive care unit: A mixed methods study

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the perspectives of intensive care patients' family members and clinicians on conveying information during family-clinician conversations.

Setting: Two medical intensive care units of a German academic tertiary care hospital.

Research methodology and design: This study followed a mixed methods design using a digital survey on family-clinician conversations with open- and closed-ended questions, metric scales, and free-text options. Quantitative analysis was performed to determine similarities and differences. Qualitative directed content analysis was conducted to code all free-text responses into themes.

Findings: The responses of 100 family members, 42 nurses, and 28 physicians were analysed (response rate: 47%). All groups preferred face-to-face communication, the ask-tell-ask method, recipient design, and explaining medical terminology. The groups further commented on empathic communication by advocating the acknowledgement of the large amount of information. Qualitative themes highlighting the importance of bedside manners and written information were unique to the family members. Closed-ended questions were identified as potential trouble sources. Two communication strategies were rated as more suitable by the family members than by the physicians: being offered to choose between a summary or a detailed report at the beginning (p =.012;r = 0.288) and receiving a summary and having all questions answered at the end of a conversation (p =.023;r = 0.240).

Conclusion: The shared preferences supported existing expert recommendations, the differing preferences corroborated the importance of relational aspects of communication and additional written information. More research is needed on empathic communication aspects.

Implications for clinical practice: To facilitate understanding, the clinicians may apply recipient design and the ask-tell-ask method, explain medical terminology, summarise important information, and proactively elicit questions. They may use empathic phrasing, demonstrate a respectful demeanour, and reflect on their current use of closed-ended questions and on the relational messages of their communication.

Keywords: Communication; Comprehension; Critical Care Nursing; Critical care; Family Members; Intensive Care Units.