# Previous Intensive Care Unit Experience Improves Family Satisfaction With Decision‐Making: A Survey

## TL;DR

Families with prior ICU experience report higher satisfaction with decision-making in critical care settings.

## Contribution

The study validates a traditional Chinese version of the FS-ICU 24 questionnaire and shows that prior ICU experience improves family decision-making satisfaction.

## Key findings

- The traditional Chinese version of the FS-ICU 24 questionnaire showed excellent reliability and validity.
- Families with prior ICU experience had significantly higher decision-making satisfaction (p = 0.017).
- Improved communication with inexperienced families is recommended to enhance ICU care quality.

## Abstract

Family members often encounter decision‐making challenges when providing care. Family satisfaction is an indicator used to measure the quality of intensive care.

This study measured satisfaction with decision‐making among family members of patients with critical illness in the intensive care unit (ICU).

A cross‐sectional descriptive study was conducted with family members of ICU patients at a medical centre in southern Taiwan. We developed a traditional Chinese version of the 24‐Item Family Satisfaction in the ICU (FS‐ICU 24) questionnaire and surveyed the family members of ICU patients in Taiwan. The factors influencing family satisfaction with ICU care were analysed using the independent t‐test and Pearson's correlation.

In total, 100 family members participated in this study. The traditional Chinese version of the FS‐ICU 24 exhibited excellent reliability and validity. Each item score was converted to a 0–100 scale, with higher scores reflecting greater family satisfaction. The participants' overall satisfaction score with ICU care (85.7 ± 15.4) and their satisfaction with decision‐making (84.5 ± 13.8). Moreover, decision‐making satisfaction was significantly higher among participants who previously experienced having family members admitted to the ICU than among those who had not (p = 0.017).

The findings suggest that intensivists and nurses should proactively share information with patients' family members, particularly those without previous experience in the ICU. This approach can help enhance the quality of supportive care and improve family‐centred care in the ICU.

ICU healthcare teams should prioritise clear communication and active interaction with patients and their families, helping families feel more reassured about the treatments their loved ones receive.

What is known about the topic
○Family satisfaction in the ICU is an indicator of the quality of decision‐making and care.○Decision‐making is a complex process that aims to meet the needs of both patients and families.○Previous ICU experience may increase family members’ desire to participate in patient care and reduce perceived stress.
What this paper adds
○The validity and reliability of the traditional Chinese version of the FS‐ICU 24 were examined.○Family satisfaction with care was positively correlated with satisfaction in decision‐making for critically ill patients.○The healthcare team must communicate carefully and attentively with family members who lack ICU experience.

What is known about the topic
○Family satisfaction in the ICU is an indicator of the quality of decision‐making and care.○Decision‐making is a complex process that aims to meet the needs of both patients and families.○Previous ICU experience may increase family members’ desire to participate in patient care and reduce perceived stress.

Family satisfaction in the ICU is an indicator of the quality of decision‐making and care.

Decision‐making is a complex process that aims to meet the needs of both patients and families.

Previous ICU experience may increase family members’ desire to participate in patient care and reduce perceived stress.

What this paper adds
○The validity and reliability of the traditional Chinese version of the FS‐ICU 24 were examined.○Family satisfaction with care was positively correlated with satisfaction in decision‐making for critically ill patients.○The healthcare team must communicate carefully and attentively with family members who lack ICU experience.

The validity and reliability of the traditional Chinese version of the FS‐ICU 24 were examined.

Family satisfaction with care was positively correlated with satisfaction in decision‐making for critically ill patients.

The healthcare team must communicate carefully and attentively with family members who lack ICU experience.