Improving outcomes for ICU family members: The role of spiritual care

Improving outcomes for ICU family members: The role of spiritual care
Journal of Palliative Medicine; by Alexia M Torke, Shelley Varner-Perez, Emily S Burke, Amber R Comer, Susan Conrad, LaVera Crawley, Deborah Ejem, Jennifer Gabbard, Patricia E Kelly, Buddy Marterre, Ariel Modrykamien, Patrick O Monahan, Sarah Nouri, Csaba Szilagyi, Douglas White, George Fitchett; 4/25
Having a family member hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) can be a stressful experience for family members, encompassing both psychological and spiritual distress. While research has delved into the impact of spiritual care for ICU family members, further investigation is still needed to determine the most effective approaches for delivering such care. This narrative review will describe a conceptual model aimed at guiding future research in this endeavor. The model proposes that chaplains provide emotional, spiritual, and information support to ICU family members. This affects both their ICU experience, decision making, and outcomes for the patient and family.