Perception of Physicians and Nurses on Presence of Family during Invasive Procedures

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine the perception of physicians and nurses on family presence during invasive procedures. METHODS: The study population consisted of 100 physicians and 100 nurses from five hospitals which have more than 500 beds in B city. Data collection was done from August 20 to September 19, 2007. The Family Presence During Resuscitation (FPDR) Inventory developed by Fulbrook, Albarran and Latour (2005) was used as the study instrument. The collected data was analyzed by t-test, ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test using SPSS/WIN 14.0 version. RESULTS: Nurses had more positive attitudes to allowing family members to be present during invasive procedures than physicians did. However, compared to physicians, nurses had more concern about problems of confidentiality, arguing with medical team, and increased rate of legal action if family members were present during invasive procedure. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that educational programs and policy for family presence be required within the hospital to enhance the perception of physicians and nurses to the family presence.