Family Involvement in Relation to Elective Open-Heart Surgery: A Critical Incident Technique Study From a Family Member Perspective.
Anna Drakenberg, Ann-Sofie Sundqvist, Bengt Fridlund and 1 others
PMID 39988863WHAT IT FOUND
Family members described feeling seen when welcomed and given direct updates, especially a post-surgery call from the surgeon.
They described managing worry by gathering information, protecting the patient, and sharing care at home.
Key findings
01Family members described feeling seen as significant when healthcare professionals were welcoming and gave them information directly rather than relying on the patient.
02The surgeon's phone call after surgery was described as crucial for easing the wait and showing family worry was understood.
03Family members described reducing worry by seeking information, sharing it with relatives, and helping with home tasks and self-care after surgery.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was small, with 29 family members, 24 female and 23 partners or spouses, so it may not represent men or other family relationships. All interviews were by telephone or video, which may have limited the quality of dialogue. Data were collected after surgery at home, so some important situations may not have had a clear ending. Recruitment depended on patients consenting and naming a family member, which may have shaped who could participate. Technical issues occurred during eight interviews, and one interview needed to be repeated. The study describes experiences and actions; it does not test whether involving family members improves patient or family outcomes.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the themes as proof that family involvement improves recovery or reduces complications. This study only describes family members' experiences and actions after elective open-heart surgery, with no patient outcomes tested.