Study of biopsychosocial effects on family members of patients in intensive care unit

This study has been carried out qualitatively to evaluate the problems of the families of patients in intensive care unit in the fields of behavioral, sensory, cognitive, and psychosocial problems in their interpersonal relationships (ICU) and to determine in which level this process effects the family. In the study has been used simulated and criterion sample methods of qualitative research methods and 15 family members of selected first-degree relatives of the patients have constituted the sample. The data in the study were collected between January 2011 and December 2011.Using the technique of separately depth interview face-to-face interview was conducted with relatives of the patients. Questions have been asked using Family Interview Form and a semi-structured interview has recorded with recorder. Information has been tried to be collected with an approximately 45-60 minutes-interview. After each meeting, the interview record has been decoded and after the data is encoded, they have been classified according to themes and has been converted into a report by being interpreted. As a result of the research, three themes have been identified; Information and Thoughts, that whether the family members have enough information about the general condition of patients, that they perceived the disease of their patients as difficult and bad disease, that they valued their patients greatly, that they see the future ambiguously, they are generally satisfied with relationships with the health care professionals; Changes, that there are physical and psychological changes in their health, that they give many emotional responses to disease, like fear, anger, anxiety and depressive affect, that the biggest fear of them is the fear of losing their patients, that they are face to face with so many compelling factors, that their family dynamics are affected, that the needs of themselves and other family members are been of secondary importance, that their social lives affected severely by the disease, that the disease their forced families financially, and that their working lives are affected, Coping, it was determined that they try to cope with the activities that engage the mind, social supports, physical activities, religious belief and religion oriented practices. According to the results, illness and being in an ICU of a family member because of a serious illness affects the family as a system, it causes to unbalance. For this reason, a humanistic, holistic and family-centered approach should be displayed to the families.