Video calls did not reduce PTSD symptoms in relatives during restricted ICU visits in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sci Rep
; 12(1): 14405, 2022 08 24.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2000933
ABSTRACT
To help reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the COVID-19 pandemic, ICU visits were banned or restricted. Therefore, family-centered care as usually practiced was not feasible Video calls were recommended to meet relatives' needs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of video calls on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in relatives of ICU patients. This single-center study was performed during the first wave (15.03.2020â30.04.2020; visits banned) and the second wave (01.10.20â08.02.21 visits restricted) of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was used to assess PTSD symptoms and an adapted version of the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit 24-Item-Revised questionnaire (aFS-ICU 24R) to assess family satisfaction 3 months after ICU stay. The primary outcome was the difference in IES-R score at 3 months between the video call group (VCG) and the standard care group (SCG, no video calls). In addition, inductive content analysis of relatives' comments regarding their satisfaction with decision-making and ICU care was performed. Fifty-two relatives (VCG n = 26, SCG n = 26) were included in this study. No significant difference in IES-R scores was observed between the VCG and the SCG (49.52 ± 13.41 vs. 47.46 ± 10.43, p = 0.54). During the ICU stay (mean 12 days, range 5.25â18.75 days), the members of the VCG made a median of 3 (IQR 1â10.75) video calls. No difference between the groups was found for conventional telephone calls during the same period (VCG 9 calls, IQR 3.75â18.1; SCG 5 calls, IQR 3â9; p = 0.12). The aFS-ICU 24R scores were high for both groups 38 (IQR 37â40) in the VCG and 40 (IQR 37â40 p = 0.24) in the SCG. Video calls appeared largely ineffective in reducing PTSD symptoms or improving satisfaction among relatives affected by banning/restriction of ICU visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further investigations are needed to acquire more data on the factors involved in PTSD symptoms experienced by relatives of ICU patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
/
Randomized controlled trials
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Sci Rep
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S41598-022-18616-8
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