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Open research questions in Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units

28 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 616 Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • The current study recommends that future research fur- ther validate and scale up these findings through longi- tudinal studies and larger, more diverse samples across different settings. In addition, structured training pro- grams for clinical staff should be developed to ensure fidelity and standardization in delivering the nurs- ing snippet-based intervention. Furthermore, periodic booster sessions and continuous access to digital edu- cational content are recommended to sustain long-term parental outcomes. Importantly, it is recommended that snippet-based education be integrated into routine dis- charge protocols for pediatric orthopedic surgeries, and that digital “snippet libraries” be established within hos- pital information systems as a sustainable educational resource rather than a one-time research-based inter- vention. Additionally, blended educational approaches, including printed illustrated materials and hospital-pro- vided digital devices, may support equitable access for all caregivers.

    Evaluation of nursing snippet-based intervention on parents’ burden and self-efficacy towards caring for their children undergoing limb lengthening surgery · 2026 · DOI

  • The research is limited to fourth-year students in the institution where the research was conducted. Therefore, it cannot be generalized to the whole society. As the data were collected through online interviews (Zoom), the details and nuances of communication obtained in face-to-face interviews may have yet to be fully captured. Psychological factors such as uncertainty, stress, and anxiety during the pandemic are another limitation that may affect participants' responses. For these reasons, it should be noted that the research findings should be evaluated only within the specified context and conditions.

    Nursing Students’ Desire for Care in Pandemic: A Qualitative Research · 2026 · DOI

  • This study’s strengths include the use of in-depth interviews, which generated rich insights into the experiences of family members of COVID-19 patients who died in the intensive care unit. The inclusion of participants from diverse backgrounds and settings further enhanced the depth and richness of the data. However, there are some limitations; data collection was conducted via online interviews, which posed challenges related to audio-visual quality and internet stability. These technical limitations occasionally disrupted the flow of interviews and complicated transcription and analysis, requiring more attentive listening. The lack of face-to-face interaction during the video interviews might have affected the interpretation of non-verbal cues compared to traditional in-person interviews. As the visual field was limited to what the camera could capture, the researcher was unable to observe the environment beyond the camera’s frame and therefore could not determine whether external factors might have influenced participants’ emotional expression during the interview. In addition, the researcher was unable to convey empathy through natural non-verbal communication, such as sustained eye contact or supportive physical gestures, as would typically occur in traditional face-to-face interviews. Additionally, online data collection necessitated participants’ familiarity with video communication, resulting in a sample predominantly composed of younger family members and potentially excluding those with limited digital access. Therefore, the transferability of the findings to the broader bereaved population may be limited. This study did not explore the experiences of family members who had longer-standing relationships with the deceased, such as parents, siblings, or life partners. These individuals are often older adults who may have limited familiarity with online communication technologies. It is possible that this group may experience stronger emotional bonds with the deceased Experiences of Thai Family Members of Patients with COVID-19Pacific Rim Int J Nurs Res • July-September 2026 and hold different perspectives on the loss, potentially involving more complex or nuanced experiences than those reported by younger family members. In addition, due to ethical considerations, the study excluded participants who had clinically significant prolonged grief. Exploring the experiences of this group could provide valuable insights into the factors that contribute to more persistent or prolonged bereavement responses.

    Experiences of Thai Family Members of Patients with COVID-19 who died in Intensive Care Units: A Phenomenological Study · 2026 · DOI

  • The aim of scholars is not limited to a critical reading of what is happening in family relationships and the effects that the pandemic is producing now and will produce in the future, but also aims to understand the deep reasons, hidden in the folds of existence, that can make some families particularly vulnerable compared to others.

    Benessere, resilienza e prosocialità: il loro intreccio in alcune trame familiari · 2022 · DOI

  • Since little is known about the burden of critical illness on ICU survivor families, we conducted a prospective observational study aiming to assess this, and investigate correlations of the patients' psychometric and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores with family burden.

    Family Burden of ICU Survivors and Correlations with Patient Quality of Life and Psychometric Scores – A Pilot Study · 2022 · DOI

  • The patients surveyed within the research conducted at the Clinic for Medical Recovery, Physical Medicine and Balneoclimatology from Iasi, between October 2012 and December 2015, generally reported that, although the family, friends and neighbours play an important role in maintaining the quality of life for the medically rehabilitated patients, the physical and emotional support provided by them is insufficient.

    The Role of Family in Medical Rehabilitation · 2018

  • Administrative workload, the work required to understand systems and complete tasks and associated with navigating complex care for families, is an underrecognized yet powerful driver of inequity in pediatric hospital care.

    “It Wasn’t Nonadherence”: Administrative Workload for Families and Inequitable Outcomes · 2026 · DOI

  • Sec- ond, the findings’ generalizability may have been limited by the requirement that participants had a smartphone and be digitally literate, which may have excluded more vulnerable or lower-income parents who lack access to such technology (Selection Bias).

    Evaluation of nursing snippet-based intervention on parents’ burden and self-efficacy towards caring for their children undergoing limb lengthening surgery · 2026 · DOI

  • While there are reports about depression in mothers caring for ventilator-dependent children in the home, little is known about the children's own perspective of living with a machine.

    Living with a Machine: The Experience of the Child Who is Ventilator Dependent · 2008 · DOI

  • Respondents felt that futile care was provided because of family demands, a lack of timely or skilled communication, or a lack of consensus among the treating team.

    Perceptions of "futile care" among caregivers in intensive care units · 2007 · DOI

  • BACKGROUND: Many caregivers in intensive care units (ICUs) feel that they sometimes provide inappropriate or excessive care, but little is known about their definition of "futile care" or how they attempt to limit its impact.

    Perceptions of "futile care" among caregivers in intensive care units · 2007 · DOI

  • Model-worldview/therapist-worldview congruence cannot overcome the deficits entailed by a therapist who lacks generic therapeutic attitudes and skills, and/or by a model that is lacking in efficacy.

    The heart of the matter: continuing the conversation · 2007 · DOI

  • As a consequence most critically ill children are cared for where resources are inadequate support from central agencies is lacking there is poor access to information there is little ongoing professional development or staff training and staff morale is invariably low.

    Hospital Care for Children in Developing Countries: Clinical Guidelines and the Need for Evidence · 2006 · DOI

  • Children hospitalized in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) are subjected to highly invasive interventions necessary in overcoming the critical period of their illness, yet little is known about their subsequent psychological adjustment.

    Children’s Psychological Responses After Critical Illness and Exposure to Invasive Technology · 2002 · DOI

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28 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 616 Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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