A qualitative analysis of clinicians' communication strategies with family members of patients experiencing hospital-acquired delirium

Abstract

Objective: Identify doctors' and nurses' perceptions of effective communication strategies when talking with family members of patients with hospital-acquired delirium.

Methods: We conducted focus groups and interviews of hospitalists, anesthesiologists, and nurses using a semi-structured approach. We rigorously analyzed transcribed data using a constant comparative method.

Results: We conducted six focus groups and 14 interviews. Participants included 20 hospitalists, 9 anesthesiologists, and 21 nurses. Clinicians identified three communication approaches as effective when communicating with family of delirium patients: Provide reassurance, educate families, and engage in family-centered communication.

Conclusion: In communicating with families of patients with post-operative delirium, clinicians work to reassure and educate families using family-centered communication. Different approaches are used by different types of clinicians to accomplish this goal. Clinicians recognized the importance of involving family members in the patients' recovery.

Practice implications: Though clinically common and familiar to clinicians, delirium may be a new diagnosis for family members and thus compassion and education are vital. Due to the different clinical roles, education may be different for each discipline.