Significant Others of Critically Ill Patient: Their Challenges and Traumatic Experiences

Bernardo A. Zabala Jr^1,

¹Extension Services/Guidance Counselor, College of Nursing, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines

Cite this paper:
Bernardo A. Zabala Jr. Significant Others of Critically Ill Patient: Their Challenges and Traumatic Experiences. American Journal of Educational Research. 2017; 5(1):30-35. doi: 10.12691/education-5-1-5

Abstract

The significant others of critically Ill patients played an important role in taking care of their patient confined at any hospital. They are considered morale and support booster, they were utilized for any errand activity in the hospital and lookout of the rest of members in the family and the for the patients This study sought to determine the perceptions of the selected 10 significant others whose critically ill patients were confined at the Intensive Care Unit of Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center (PJGMRMC) Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Qualitative research through case study was utilized. Prior consent from the respondents was sought prior to the conduct of research. Questionnaire, unstructured interview, and observation were the main tool utilized. Percentage, ranking, and weighted mean were the statistical tools utilized. Findings revealed that significant others fear are death of their patient. Anxious about the hospital bills, personal debt, and financial constraint. They were optimistic that their patient can survive. Experienced psychological distressed when their patient was at ICU. They are optimistic that their patients be healed, survived or recovered for their consciousness. They agreed that their greatest fears were helplessness and losing their loved ones. They cannot help but cry especially when their patients are unconscious and life saver equipment’s are attached to their patients. They were in distressed, experienced headaches, no enough rest or sleep. They do not have money for any emergency.

Keywords:
significant others critically ill patients challenges education and public health Cabanatuan City Nueva Ecija Philippines

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