Azoulay E, Lautrette A, Darmon M, Megarbane B, et al.

The 15-page leaflet used in the study describes and explains end-of-life care, possible reactions after the death of a family member, how to communicate with other family members or children, and where to find assistance.

“The huge effect of the intervention is surprising,” says lead researcher Elie Azoulay, M.D., of Hopital Saint-Louis in Paris. The group that received more counseling was plus less likely to have symptoms of anxiety (44.6% vs.

Hospitals that use a simple strategy of enhancing communication with family members of patients dying in the intensive care unit can greatly reduce post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression after their loved one dies, according to a study presented at the American Thoracic Society universal Conference in San Francisco. Azoulay said that families of dying patients in the ICU need info on the causes and the timing of death; the amount or level of healthcare

the patient will receive; and info on the process of withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment.

Dr. 55.8%). “The patient must be comfortable at all times and family and friends must be given opportunities to express emotions and to voice concerns in a private place,” he said.
A Proactive Communication Strategy for Family Members of Patients Dying in the ICU: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
ATS Internation Conference, 2007. 67.3%), and depression (28.6% vs.

The multicenter trial involving 126 patients dying in 22 ICUs in France found that family members who engaged in an average of 30 minutes of a family conference with the patient’s physician and received an in-depth bereavement booklet had a lower prevalence of post-traumatic stress syndrome after 90 days (44.6% compared with 69.2% for family members who went through a 20-minute family conference and did not receive the bereavement booklet).   [Abstract]

Original post by Anxiety Insights