Intensivist perceptions of family-centered rounds and its impact on physician comfort, staff involvement, teaching, and efficiency.

PURPOSE

Our goal was to examine intensivists' perception of comfort, staff satisfaction, teaching, and efficiency with family-centered rounds (FCR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Surveys were sent to intensivists at Emory University. Responses of physicians that participate in FCR were compared with those who do not. Survey questions were developed using a 5-point Likert scale with 1 representing a negative response and 5 being positive.

RESULTS

Of 46 surveys sent, there were 31 responses (response rate, 67%). Seventeen responses were from adult intensivists and 14 from pediatric. Sixteen respondees (52%) participate in FCR, whereas 15 respondents (48%) do not. There is a significant difference in physician comfort with the practice with an average score of 4.4+1.0 for those who participate and 2.7+1.7 for those who do not (P=.002). There is also a significant difference in the perception of the impact of FCR on staff. Those who participate feel that it has a significantly greater positive impact on staff's involvement during rounds with an average score of 3.6+1.2 vs an average score of 2.3+1.2 for those who do not practice FCR (P=.003). Those who participate in FCR have significantly more positive perception on its impact on patient outcomes with an average score of 3.8+1.1 compared with an average score of 2.9+1.3 for those who do not participate in FCR (P=.05). There are no significant differences in perceptions on teaching and efficiency among participants and nonparticipants in FCR.

CONCLUSIONS

Participation in FCR is associated with an increase in perceived physician comfort, positive impact on staff involvement, and positive impact on patient outcome. Concerns over teaching and efficiency remain.