[The situation on relatives in the intensive care unit].

Up to now there are almost no investigations on the situation of relatives of ICU patients. Therefore a study was designed into the impressions left on relatives by intensive care treatment in their next of kin. A questionnaire including 46 items was developed which mainly refers to the following topics: first contact with the ICU, experience with the situation in the ICU, information given on the patient's state, psychosocial assistance, evaluation of experiences made in the ICU. The questionnaire was sent to 210 relatives of former long-term intensive care patients; 57 completed forms could be evaluated. It can be demonstrated that the first contact with the ICU is characterised by the concern for the patient's actual state of disease so that previous information about the ICU and on the patient's condition are considered helpful. The contact with the intensive care patient seems to be most impressive for all relatives. It creates feelings of uneasiness, compassion and despair. The relatives of moribund patients additionally show feelings of mourning. The request for information mainly refers to the patient's present state. The technical equipment of the ICU represents a reassuring factor to most of the relatives; likewise the smallest number of them feels disturbed by witnessing therapeutical measures. The relation to the medical and nursing staff is described as positive, especially by relatives of surviving patients. In retrospect the relatives--like the former ICU patients--hold a positive view of the intensive care unit. The reasons are discussed.