Virtual Engagement of Families in the Intensive Care Unit During COVID-19: A Descriptive Survey of Family Members of Patients and Health Care Workers.

Traditional face-to-face family member visits in the intensive care unit (ICU) are challenged during the coronavirus disease pandemic with time-critical visiting of the ICU patient being impossible. This study aimed to explore reported experiences and satisfaction surrounding the use of technology for virtual visits and virtual family meetings in the ICU setting. Two groups were surveyed: (1) family members of critically ill patients in the ICU and (2) health care workers caring for these patients. The study, conducted in the 36-bed ICU of a speciality metropolitan acute care facility in Australia, used a pragmatic post-test survey design. Data were analyzed descriptively. Of health care worker subjects, 106 completed the survey and the majority of communication episodes favored virtual visits (79.2%,  = 84). Of family member subjects, 69 completed the survey, with the majority participating in virtual family meetings (40.6%,  = 28). Both groups indicated satisfaction with virtual communication. We found virtual communication was positively received.