NEEDS OF PATIENTS' FAMILIES IN SOME SURGICAL CLINICS AND SURGICAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS

Aim of this descriptive type of study, was to identify the needs of family members of patients hospitalized in surgical intensive care units and surgical clinics, in Atatürk University Aziziye Research Hospital. In this study, a total of 121 family members of patients were asked to complete Turkish version of the 40-item "Critical Care Family Needs Inventory". The first three needs important or very important for family members were as follows: having reassurance that the best possible care is being given to the patient (x=3.85±.34), feeling there is hope (x=3.79±.42), knowing what is wrong with patient's health (x=3.75±.55). Need of lowest priority for patient's family was the patient's friends come to visit (x=2.71±.88).

The results of this study indicate that most of the patients families found emotional support and needs of information about the patient more important than their own physical or personal needs. The fact that health staff and especially physicians and nurses should know needs of patient's family, and they should make necessary effort to meet their needs will affect the process patient's improvement in a positive way.