Creating a Family and Patient Centered Environment: Development of a Communication Form

Communication within the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) among patients, families and physicians is of vital importance. Unfortunately satisfaction surveys frequently show communication as an area needing improvement. As health care providers we cannot expect patients and their families to make life altering medical decisions if they do not have adequate communication that leads to at least a basic understanding of diagnosis, prognosis and possible outcomes. The purpose of this project was to develop a communication form that could be utilized by patients, families and physicians at the bedside. The project was accomplished through several objectives. First a comprehensive literature review on the following was completed: the current state of communication between patient's families and physicians; what patients and families need while in the ICU; and communication interventions such as mind mapping and question prompt lists (QPLs). Second, a communication form was developed using the concepts of mind mapping and QPLs. Feedback was then obtained from project chair and content experts. Third, the form was presented to the Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center on multiple occasions. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has been a leader in personalized health care for decades and has been on the forefront of involving patients and families in the decision making process by creating patient and family councils. Each time the form was reviewed and feedback was received, the communication form was revised. Lastly, once the form was completed, a presentation was given to the Humanizing the Experience of Acute Life-THreatening Illness and Injury (HEALTHII) Committee at Intermountain Medical Center. The HEALTHII committee is a committee whose goals are to improve human outcomes after critical illness with the use of a multidisciplinary approach. Further study is needed to demonstrate the feasibility, usability and preliminary outcomes of this communication form. Due to not gaining IRB approval during the time allotted to complete this project, the pilot study has become a recommendation for the future. It is apparent that there is a communication void between physicians, patients and their families. The use of a communication form can help to close that void. The goal of this form was to increase overall comprehension of current medical conditions and treatment options as well as improve satisfaction with physician communication.