Family member perspectives of feeling safe in the Intensive Care Unit
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Family member perspectives of feeling safe in the Intensive Care Unit (SAFE-ICU)
IRAS ID
249545
Contact name
Ruth Endacott
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Plymouth
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, months, days
Research summary
Keeping patients safe when they are in the intensive care unit (ICU) is our highest priority. Healthcare professionals attend to safety by providing high-quality care that is most appropriate for the individual patient. However, it is also important for patients and family members to feel safe. Feeling safe is very subjective but does play an important role in a patient’s recovery as well as reducing the sense of post-traumatic distress and enhancing the support for families. Patients often cannot express how they felt when in intensive care so this study will explore the perceptions of feeling safe from the family members’ perspective.
This study will start an exploration of the concept of ‘feeling safe’ from the perspective of family members. We will talk to family members to help us understand their experience of intensive care and what things improve and diminish their feelings of safety. The research will be conducted in three phases; phase one will consist of semi-structured interviews, lasting between 30-45 minutes, with family members of ICU patients in two NHS trusts. In phase two, a review of existing research evidence will be undertaken to identify factors associated with feeling safe. In phase three, two focus groups, lasting between 45-60 minutes, will be conducted involving family members of ICU patients to present the findings from phase one and phase two and develop recommendations for ICU education and practice. Family members will be recruited after the patient has left ICU by placing recruitment flyers in visitor rooms. Family members may participate in both interviews (phases 1 and 3) if they wish. The outcomes of this study will be used to tailor education for health professionals and to inform resources necessary to enable patients and family members to feel safe.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NE/0313
Date of REC Opinion
10 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion