A comparison of family needs perceived by nurses and family members of acutely brain-injured patients.

There is a paucity of research that addresses the needs of families of persons with a brain injury. In addition, no studies have been found to date that focused on the nurses' perceptions of family needs in this population. Neuman Systems Model, which is based on stress and the reaction to stress, guided the study that was conducted on two neuroscience units in Ottawa, Ontario. The model is based on stress and the reaction to stress. The following objectives were addressed: (1) to identify the needs of family members of acutely brain injured patients (Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and stroke) on a neuroscience unit; (2) to determine the relationship between nurses and family members in identifying family needs of patients with acute brain injuries; (3) to determine whether the family members perceive their needs are met and by whom; and (4) to compare the needs of family members of patients with TBI and stroke. (Abstract shortened by UMI.

Examining Short-term Stability of the Mealtime Interaction Coding System (MICS)

Objective This study assessed the stability of ratings on the McMaster Mealtime Interaction Coding System (MICS), an observational measure of family functioning, across three typical evening meals. Methods Participants included families of infants and toddlers with cystic fibrosis (n = 33) and with no chronic illness (n = 33). Three meals were videotaped across a 3-week period (M = 17.4 days) and involved a secondary data analysis from a larger study. Results Across both groups, test–retest reliability (paired correlation coefficients) was generally moderate, but significant, for all scales at each time point comparison. Analyses revealed no significant within-or between-group differences across time periods on healthy versus unhealthy ratings. Conclusions This study highlights the limitations of coding a single mealtime observation or interpreting multiple observations using the MICS. Findings highlight that family, meal, illness, and assessment factors may impact variability in ratings over time

Translation and validation of the Danish version of the brief family assessment measure III in a sample of acutely admitted elderly medical patients

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: Family functioning plays a pivotal role in the adaptation to illness of both individuals and families, especially among elderly patients. The Brief Family Assessment Measure Third Edition (Brief FAM-III) is among the most frequently used self-report instruments that measures family functioning. However, no Danish translation or measure of its psychometric properties in a Danish population is available. The purpose of this study was to translate the Brief FAM-III into Danish and then evaluate its psychometric properties in elderly patients.METHODS: The Brief FAM-III was translated into Danish using the forward-backward translation procedure and examined its psychometric properties in 60 elderly patients (aged over 65) consecutively admitted to an acute medical ward. Internal consistency reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alpha coefficients, and confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the construct validity of the Brief FAM-III.RESULTS: Evaluation of the Danish version of the Brief FAM-III confirmed the three-factor structure (General Scale, Self-Rating Scale and Dyadic Relationships Scale) identified in the original instrument. However, goodness-of-fit indicators showed a relatively poor model fit. Cronbach's alpha for the total scales of Brief FAM-III was 0.94 suggesting good internal consistency.CONCLUSIONS: The Danish version of the Brief FAM-III demonstrated satisfactory validity and reliability to assess family functioning among acutely admitted elderly Danish patients. We suggest that it may also be useful for monitoring family functioning over time or determining the effects of therapeutic interventions in elderly medical patients; however, further testing is recommended.</p

The needs and experiences of family members of adult patients in an intensive care unit: a review of the literature

No summary availabl

Translation and field testing of the family functioning, family health and social support questionnaire in Danish outpatients with heart failure

BACKGROUND: Valid and reliable instruments to assess family functioning, health and social support in families with heart failure constitute a cornerstone in the detection of the families' needs, in improving their functioning and in evaluating the effects of nursing interventions.AIM: To translate the three scales of the Family Functioning, Family Health and Social Support (FAFHES) questionnaire from Finnish into Danish, to test validity and reliability of the Danish version among outpatients with heart failure and to add to previous studies by reconstructing scales using confirmatory factor analysis.METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used to study a sample of 330 patients with heart failure who completed the FAFHES. The validity (dimensionality) and reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) were assessed for each of the three scales. The scales were constructed using confirmatory factor analysis.RESULTS: Patients were primarily men (76%) with a mean age of 66.5 (SD 12.5), categorised as New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification II (80%) and NYHA III (20%) for clinical severity of symptoms. In all three modified scales, construct validity was supported by the analysis. There were strong correlations within the factors, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.73 to 0.95 across the three scales, and significant, though weak, correlations between most of the factors. None of the revised scales showed good model fit according to the goodness-of-fit indices used. The test-retest showed interclass correlation coefficients ranging between 0.69 and 0.86, indicating acceptable test-retest reliability.CONCLUSION: The Danish version of the FAFHES is an instrument that can be used to measure family functioning, family health and social support from the perspective of the patient with heart failure. Further testing is recommended.</p