Evaluating Nurses perceptions of family presence during resuscitation efforts and invasive procedures before and after an educational intervention.

Background: Since the 1980’s , family presence during resuscitation and invasive procedures has been supported in the literature as being beneficial to health care workers, family and patients. Ongoing controversy related to misconceptions regarding family practice hinder its acceptance and practice in the hospital setting. determine the effects of an educational Purpose : The purpose of this project was to intervention on nurses’ attitudes, beliefs, and intent to practice family presence using the adult learning theory and theory of reasoned action. Methods: Pre and post surveys were used in this study. Nurses in a local emergency department, who volunteered for the project, completed the pre-test prior to the completion an educational podcast. After listening to the 20 minute podcast, nurses were asked to complete the same survey again to evaluate changes in attitudes, beliefs and intent to practice family presence. Results: There was a statistically significant change between the pre and post surveys in four of six questions chosen to evaluate the effectiveness of the podcast. The two questions which did not have statistically significant changes had favorable responses in both pre and post surveys supporting family presence. Two short answer questions all indicated a change in attitudes and beliefs. Conclusion: The change in pre and post education survey scores supports that the educational podcast was effective in changing attitudes, beliefs and intent to practice family presence during resuscitation and invasive procedures