Determining needs and expectations of family members who have in patients at intensive care unit

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine needs and expectations of family members who have inpatients at intensive care unit. Method: The research was conducted at intensive care units in three public hospitals in province of Antalya between the dates of 01.10.2016 and 28.02.2017. Population consisted of family members (3496) having inpatients at intensive care units in three public hospitals in the recent year and only one family member of each inpatient was evaluated. Research sample was formed by 346 family members determined between 95 % confidence interval by using known population method. Research was approved by Ethical Committee of Akdeniz University. In the research data was gathered with questionnaire formed by researcher and "Critical Care Family Needs Inventory". Findings: In the research average age of family members was determined as 40,52±12,36. 49% of the family members are female and 50% are male. %70,5 the family members are married and 96,2% have social security. When their educational background are viewed it was determined that 43% of family members are literate or at the level of elementary school and 35% are at the level of high school and 22% are at the level of university. Point Averages of Sub-scales of Critical Care Family Needs Inventory were determined as Comfort (19,99±3,33), Proximity (26,13±2,24), Confidence (19,23±1,19), Information (32,64±3,19) and Support (32,64±3,19). It was determined that score of scale subscales was effected by informing family members, the degree of closeness to the patient and region of residence. Conclusion: According to research findings it is inferred that need levels of family members are high; being informed by doctor and nurse and supplying the appropriate physical environment are important. Key words: intensive care unit, intensive care patient, family member, needs of family member.