Having a loved one unwell in hospital is a stressful, frightening experience, and family members often go through a very traumatic ordeal in these types of situations.
Families are very important to nurses because they often serve as caregivers for patients who require long-term care.
As a result, nurses should encourage family participation in patient care. In addition, they should create a positive environment where families feel comfortable sharing information and expressing concerns.
This will help them better understand the illness process and provide support during difficult times.
Family involvement can also be beneficial to nurses themselves. It provides an opportunity to learn more about their own personal strengths and weaknesses, which can lead to improved self-awareness and confidence.
Furthermore, it helps nurses develop relationships with other health professionals that may benefit both parties.
The following sections discuss some of the benefits associated with family involvement in nursing.
Benefits Of Family Involvement For Nurses
There are a number of ways in which having family involved in patient care can offer benefits for nurses, and we looked at some of the most important ones below.
1. It Can Improve Communication Between Nurses And Patients
Family involvement has the potential to improve that all-important communication between nurses and their patients, offering a better standard of care.
When patients have family members present, they tend to open up more easily than when no one is around. They are less likely to withhold information or ask questions if someone else is there who they trust and can rely on.
As a result, nurses are able to get a clearer picture of what is going on inside the patient’s mind.
By allowing family members to be present for examinations, test results, and discussions, nurses can gain valuable insight into how patients are feeling and what they need from others. This allows them to make decisions based on accurate information rather than speculation.
2. It Can Improve Patient Care
When patients have family members present during medical procedures, they are more likely to cooperate with doctors and nurses. This means that they are more likely to follow instructions and comply with treatment plans.
It also makes it easier for nurses to assess whether the patient understands what is happening and why he or she needs certain treatments.
If family members are involved, they can explain things to the patient in his or her native language if required, making it easier for him or her to comprehend. Patients are also more likely to feel confident in asking for clarification or advice from a family member, rather than a medical professional.
3. It Can Help To Reduce Stress Levels During Difficult Times
Nurses often find themselves dealing with stressful situations on a daily basis. However, when family members are present, they can take some of the pressure off by providing emotional support.
This can reduce stress levels and allow nurses to focus on the task at hand without worrying about upsetting the patient.
In some cases, family members can also take over basic care, such as making sure that patients have enough water, monitoring pain medication and symptoms, and taking care of other basic tasks.
This takes the pressure off the nurses, and can also play a key role in helping patients to recover more quickly and effectively.
If nurses have a strong bond with their families, they will be more willing to share information with each other. They will also be more likely to work together as a team to ensure that all aspects of a patient’s care are covered.
4. It Can Help Nurses Bridge Cultural Differences
Having family members present can help nurses bridge cultural differences. For example, if a nurse is working in an area where English is not spoken, he or she may want to involve a family member who speaks the local language.
This can mean that the nurse does not have to worry about translating everything that is being said, which can save time and energy. It also helps to build relationships between staff members, which can lead to improved teamwork and cooperation.
5. It Can Provide A Sense Of Security For Some Patients
Some people may find it difficult to talk openly about personal issues, especially those relating to health problems. Having family members around can give these individuals a sense of security and comfort.
They can provide reassurance that someone else knows exactly what they are going through and that they do not have to face this problem alone. This can help them cope better with illness and recovery.
6. It Helps To Improve Patient Compliance With Treatment Plans
When patients have family members present, they are more likely than others to follow doctors’ orders and adhere to treatment plans. This is because they know that someone is watching out for them and that they will receive appropriate care.
If the patient is going home to stay with their family in the recovery process, then having them present during the development of the treatment plan can also be extremely useful; this allows nurses to get feedback from the patient’s family members regarding how well the treatment plan is working and ensures that everyone who will be involved in the care and recovery of the patient knows exactly what they need to do, the reasons that these things are important, and the things that they need to look out for along the way.
This helps to improve the efficiency of the treatment plan; it means that there is less chance of errors occurring, and it reduces the amount of time spent trying to figure out why something has gone wrong, as those who are to be involved in the care are there and included right from the outset.
7. It Provides An Opportunity To Learn More About Your Patients And Their Families
Family involvement can also provide nurses with valuable insights into their patients’ lives. By talking to family members, nurses can learn more about their patients, including details about their hobbies, interests, and personality traits.
Getting to know your patients help nurses to understand them on a deeper level, and makes it easier for them to communicate effectively with them. This can make it easier for nurses to develop rapport with their patients, and to establish good communication skills.
This can also make it easier to spot when something is going wrong and to identify any potential risks before they become serious problems. After all, the better you know your patient, the higher the chances that you will catch on when something is not quite right.
Final Thoughts
The benefits of family involvement in nursing are numerous, but perhaps the most significant one is that it provides an opportunity to connect with your patients and their families on a much deeper level.
When you spend time getting to know your patients, you gain a greater understanding of them, and this can only benefit both you and them, allowing higher standards of care, and offering improved outcomes.