The needs of members of the families of general hospital inpatients / As necessidades dos familiares de pacientes internados no hospital geral

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The needs of members of the families of intensive care unit patients have been studied, but little is known about the needs of members of the families of general hospital inpatients, especially patients with chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to identify the needs of members of the families of general hospital inpatients and investigate associations between these needs and the patients' clinical and psychiatric profiles. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive study, in a public teaching hospital. METHODS: A random sample of 47 patients and members of their families was studied. Family members' needs were investigated using the critical care family needs inventory and the patients' clinical profiles were investigated using the hospital anxiety and depression scale, confusion assessment method and Karnofsky performance status. The frequencies of family members' needs were described and the patients' clinical and psychiatric characteristics were correlated with the needs using the chi-squared test. RESULTS: Chronic patients predominated and the needs for reassurance and information were indicated as the most important by all members of their families. No associations were found between the patients' characteristics and the needs of members of their families during the hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The needs indicated by members of the families of general hospital inpatients were similar to those of members of the families of patients in intensive care units: they considered it very important to be reassured and kept informed throughout the hospitalization.

RESUMO

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: As necessidades dos familiares de pacientes internados têm sido estudadas em unidades de terapia intensiva, porém pouco se conhece sobre as necessidades dos familiares de pacientes internados no hospital geral, especialmente dos pacientes com doenças crônicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as necessidades dos familiares de pacientes internados no hospital geral e verificar associações dessas necessidades com o perfil clínico e psiquiátrico dos pacientes. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo descritivo em hospital-escola público. MÉTODO: Numa amostra aleatória de 47 pacientes e seus familiares, as necessidades dos familiares foram investigadas com o uso da CCFNI (Critical Care Family Needs Inventory); o perfil clínico dos pacientes com os instrumentos: HAD (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), CAM (Confusion Assessment Method) e KPS (Karnofsky Performance Status). Foram descritas as freqüências das necessidades dos familiares; a associação das características clínicas e psiquiátricas às necessidades foi analisada com o uso de teste qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: Houve predominância de pacientes crônicos e as necessidades de segurança e informação foram apontadas como as mais importantes por todos os familiares. Não foram encontradas associações entre as características dos pacientes e as necessidades dos familiares durante a hospitalização. CONCLUSÕES: As necessidades apontadas pelos familiares dos pacientes internados no hospital geral foram similares às que são apontadas por familiares de pacientes internados em unidades de terapia intensiva: eles consideraram muito importante sentirem-se assegurados e informados durante todo o período de internação.