Improving
communication with families of dying patients
reduces stress, anxiety and depression
Newswise — Hospitals that use a simple strategy
of enhancing communication with family members
of patients dying in the intensive care unit can
greatly reduce post-traumatic stress disorder,
anxiety and depression after their loved one
dies, according to a study to be presented at
the American Thoracic Society International
Conference in San Francisco on Monday, May 21.
The multicenter trial found that family members
who engaged in an average of 30 minutes of a
family conference with the patient’s physician
and received an in-depth bereavement booklet had
a lower prevalence of post-traumatic stress
syndrome after 90 days (44.6% compared with
69.2% for family members who went through a
20-minute family conference and did not receive
the bereavement booklet). The group that
received more counseling was also less likely to
have symptoms of anxiety (44.6% vs. 67.3%), and
depression (28.6% vs. 55.8%).
The study included family members of 126
patients dying in 22 ICUs in France.
“The huge effect of the intervention is
surprising,” says lead researcher Elie Azoulay,
M.D., of Hopital Saint-Louis in Paris. “We
cannot compare our levels of family symptoms of
anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress
syndrome with those from other countries,” he
noted. “We are looking forward to conducting
international comparative studies or to
comparing these symptoms with those from other
countries.”
The 15-page leaflet used in the study
describes and explains end-of-life care,
possible reactions after the death of a
family member, how to communicate with other
family members or children, and where to
find assistance.
Dr. Azoulay said that families of dying
patients in the ICU need information on the
causes and the timing of death; the amount
or level of healthcare the patient will
receive; and information on the process of
withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining
treatment. “The patient must be comfortable
at all times and family and friends must be
given opportunities to express emotions and
to voice concerns in a private place,” he
said.
