A qualitative analysis of clinicians' communication strategies with family members of patients experiencing hospital-acquired delirium.

OBJECTIVE

Identify doctors' and nurses' perceptions of effective communication strategies when talking with family members of patients with hospital-acquired delirium.

METHODS

We conducted focus groups and interviews of hospitalists, anesthesiologists, and nurses using a semi-structured approach. We rigorously analyzed transcribed data using a constant comparative method.

RESULTS

We conducted six focus groups and 14 interviews. Participants included 20 hospitalists, 9 anesthesiologists, and 21 nurses. Clinicians identified three communication approaches as effective when communicating with family of delirium patients: Provide reassurance, educate families, and engage in family-centered communication.

CONCLUSION

In communicating with families of patients with post-operative delirium, clinicians work to reassure and educate families using family-centered communication. Different approaches are used by different types of clinicians to accomplish this goal. Clinicians recognized the importance of involving family members in the patients' recovery.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Though clinically common and familiar to clinicians, delirium may be a new diagnosis for family members and thus compassion and education are vital. Due to the different clinical roles, education may be different for each discipline.