• Amn Adams, T Mannix, and A Harrington.
• MNg, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Intensiv avdeling, 9038 Tromsø, Norway.
• Nurs Crit Care. 2017 Mar 1; 22 (2): 70-80.

Aims And ObjectivesThis review examined the literature across 12 years that explored nurses' perceptions of their role when communicating with families in adult intensive care units (ICUs). The objectives were: (1) to describe how ICU nurses facilitated communication with families; (2) the perceived barriers to that communication; (3) strategies to improve their skills.BackgroundEvidence demonstrates that effective communication by health care providers can improve families' understanding of their situation and decrease their psychological burden. The continuous presence of ICU nurses, combined with the use of effective empathic communication skills, can impact on families' ICU experience in a positive way. Nevertheless, research continues to demonstrate that communication with families in ICU is inadequate and of poor quality.Search Strategies And DesignEight databases were systematically searched to identify peer reviewed studies published in English between 2002 and 2014. The results are presented via a thematic literature review.FindingsFour major themes emerged from a synthesis of the review findings: 'Nurses as information and communication facilitators', 'Nurses as family support providers', 'Nurses' non-supportive behaviours' and 'Improving nurses' communication skills'.ConclusionsMost ICU nurses considered communicating with families a vital part of their role, and described supportive behaviours. However, they perceived significant barriers to effective communication; some as a result of active decisions on their part, and some beyond their control. These barriers often resulted in nurses believing that families received suboptimal information and support. Peer support and formal training were identified as key strategies to overcome inadequacies.Relevance To Clinical PracticeThis review summarizes nurses' perceptions of the means and barriers for communicating with families in ICUs. Intensive care nurses need skills and knowledge in how to communicate effectively with families. This skill can be learnt formally, or acquired from role modelling of more experienced peers.© 2015 British Association of Critical Care Nurses.

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