Factors Affecting Psychological Distress of Family Caregivers of Critically Ill Patients: A Qualitative Study

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

Family caregivers—individuals who support the patient—play a central role in critical care survivorship, helping with health management and service utilization. However, experiencing a critical care hospitalization can cause psychological distress in family caregivers. These psychological symptoms may impact a caregiver’s ability to engage with the clinical team, as well as their long-term psychological health and ability to help manage a patient’s condition after hospital discharge. Broadening our understanding of factors influencing the development of caregiver psychological distress may lead to greater insight for addressing these factors and developing effective interventions. This study interviewed 40 family members of patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU) to understand their experiences with ICU care.

Objectives

Gain an understanding of the psychological distress among family caregivers during a critical care hospitalization
Evaluate contributors to psychological distress among family caregivers
Identify potentially modifiable factors that could mitigate psychological distress among family caregivers

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation to be awarded contact hours AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity. Activities with pharmacology hours are to assist the APRN in fulfilling the pharmacotherapeutic education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.