Perceived Stress and Support Needs of Relatives of Patients With Delirium in Intensive Care Units in Germany: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: Relatives of patients with delirium are often confronted with challenging behaviours such as hyperactivity, aggression or hallucinations. As a consequence, anxiety and depressive episodes are observed among relatives. There is currently a lack of studies on stress aspects and the need for support of relatives of patients with delirium in German intensive care units. AIM: Exploration of perceived stress and support needs of relatives of patients with delirium in intensive care units of two university hospitals in Germany. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative interview study with 13 relatives of patients with delirium. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic framework analysis according to Ritchie and Spencer. FINDINGS: Relatives observe symptoms such as disturbances in perception, attention, impaired orientation, hallucinations and anxiety in their family members with delirium. As a consequence, they experience feelings of fear, shock, irritation and helplessness. Relatives wish to receive information on delirium communicated in written form or in combination with verbal communication, provided when the delirium occurs and even before. The results indicate that relatives request education on delirium on an individual basis rather than in groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show the need for tailored information to address relatives' needs. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings provide the basis for future intervention planning. Also, they can be used to adapt support services for relatives and sensitise intensive care unit teams to the various aspects of stress experienced by relatives.