FAMILY WITNESSED RESUSCITATION: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY ON THE PERCEPTION OF PAKISTAN ARMY NURSES

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the perception and self-confidence of Pakistan Army nurses regarding family presence
during resuscitation of a family member.
Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Inpatient departments of AFIC/NIHD, CMH and MH Rawalpindi Pakistan from
15th to 31st Mar 2016.
Material and Methods: A sample of 100 nurses was selected through purposive convenience sampling consisting
of nurses from inpatient departments of AFIC/NIHD, CMH and MH Rawalpindi. A structured pre-tested
questionnaire was applied including following variables: personal characteristics (Rank, name, age, and
professional qualification), responses of participants towards family presence during resuscitation and the selfconfidence of nurses at that time.
Results: Fifty three (53.0%) participants of the study were General nursing diploma holders and 47 (47.0%) were
BScN Generic degree holders with a mean age of 29.95 ± 7.1 years. Nurses’ self-confidence and perceived benefit
of family presence were statistically significant (p=0.01). Self-confidence was significantly greater in nurses who
had completed training in BSc Nursing. Barriers to family presence included fear of interference by the patient’s
family, lack of support for the family members, fear of emotional trauma to family members, and performance
anxiety.
Conclusions: Changing the practice of family presence will require strengthening current policy, identifying a
team member to attend the patient’s family during resuscitation, and requiring nurses to complete education on
evidence that supports family presence and changes in clinical practice.