The patient and their family's perspectives on agitation and its management in adult critical care: A qualitative study

Background: Agitation is frequently experienced by patients during critical illness, this is distressing for both the patient and their family. In addition, an acute episode of agitation can create management dilemmas for clinical teams. What is not understood is the patient and family's perspective of agitation and any subsequent management strategies employed. Objective: To understand the perspectives of patients and family members on the experience of agitation in adult critical care. Method: An interpretive qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was undertaken with 13 participants, patient participants (n = 7) with the mean critical care length of stay 59 days (+/- 70.88 days). Family members (n = 6) all opted to be interviewed with the patient present. Findings: Three themes generated from the data: 1) The recollection of sensations and delusions. 2) Communication and its impact. 3) Managing agitation, what helped and what did not. Conclusion: The presence of family members has a positive effect on the patient during episodes of agitation. Their involvement in care requires promotion.