Difficulties in Communicating Between Nurses and Relatives of Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND

Effective communication between nurses and family members in intensive care units (ICU) is fundamental for a suitable nurse-family relationship. Despite this, there are certain difficulties that affect communication, which cause negative emotions in family members.

AIM

The aim of this study was to identify the main communication problems that intensive care nurses face with relatives of critically ill patients admitted to the ICU and to determine the role that the nurse plays in communication with family members.

STUDY DESIGN

A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. The review process took place between 2023 and 2024. Studies were included if they involved relatives of adult patients (> 18 years) in adult ICU settings and addressed concepts related to nurse-family communication, communication difficulties or the nurse-family relationship. Studies published between 2006 and 2022 were identified, using the EMBASE, Medline, CINAHL complete, Scopus, SCI-Expanded and SSCI databases and recovering a total of 1020 studies.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven scientific articles were included that identified communication difficulties between ICU nurses and family members. Care overload, language barrier, lack of specific training in interpersonal skills and communication, and the use of technical language are some of the most frequent difficulties.

CONCLUSIONS

ICU nurses face multiple difficulties to effective family communication, yet they are essential facilitators in humanising care. Structured training and institutional protocols are crucial to improving communication quality, reducing family distress and optimising the outcomes of critical care with family members.

RELEVANCE FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Knowledge of the communication difficulties that exist in the nurse-family relationship in the ICU can help nurses improve communication and reduce the suffering of family members during the critical care patient's stay.