Preserving families psychological and psychosocial health in PICU: a review on the health professionals role

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this review was to examine the health professional’s role in preserving the psychological and
psychosocial health of family units of paediatric intensive care patients, and to identify strategies used to reduce this risk long term.

Setting: Paediatric Intensive Care Units.

Subjects: Family units of paediatric intensive care unit patients.

Primary Argument: For the family of a child admitted to the paediatric intensive care setting, the psychological and psychosocial impacts are varied, and in many cases detrimental to the family unit itself. Health professionals, in particular nurses, perform a vital role in identifying the risks posed to these families.

Conclusion: The family unit becomes at great risk of poor psychological and psychosocial health when a child member is admitted to an intensive care unit. Nurses play a pivotal role in promoting and implementing strategies to reduce the negative impacts often experienced by these family units. Health professionals must have a thorough understanding of this risk, to be able to adequately screen and assist in preserving the health of these family units.