Perceptions and needs of relatives of patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit

Objective: Know the perceptions and needs of the relatives of patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit. Method: This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Data were collected from relatives of patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit of a university hospital, through a semi-structured interview. The findings were analyzed according to the Content Analysis theoretical framework. Results: Data show that the relatives experience contradictory feelings with regard to the intensive care unit. Although the relatives perceive it as a sector where fear of death prevails, they also see it as the sector where one finds the best quality of care. The relatives show, particularly, a need for interaction with the multiprofessional team, through an effective communication with the professionals. Conclusion: One concludes that there’s a need for establishing an effective dialogic process along with the relatives of patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit, in order to enable them to experience this period in a smoother manner