Transfer anxiety in critical care patients and their caregivers

Abstract

Introduction: Family physicians play an important role for their critically ill patients and their caregivers. Both admission and discharge in the critical care units can cause anxiety in the patients and their family caregivers. The aim of the study was to investigate transfer anxiety in patients and their caregivers due to being transferred from the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: This is a descriptive study that was carried out through interviewing patients and their caregivers who were hospitalized in the ICU and then transferred out due to the improvement of their general condition. The data was collected by using a Questionnaire Form and the StateTrait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: A total of 170 individuals (85 patients and 85 family caregivers) were involved in the study. The patient’s anxiety scores were higher than their caregivers and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). The patients and their caregivers’ mean anxiety scale scores after the transfer were higher in comparison with the mean scores before the transfer(p<0.001). Conclusions: Transfer anxiety in patients and their caregivers due to being transferred from the ICU was confirmed. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to make the necessary adjustments to prevent transfer anxiety in critical care patients. In this process, involvement of family physicians of such patients is crucial.