Exploring virtual visiting to improve equity of family access to intensive care

Through clinical practice and prior research, researchers are acutely aware that inequity of access exists for many family members of critically ill patients due to geographical separation, work/caregiving commitments, frailty, ill health or incapacity. Travel to the hospital can be especially prohibitive for those experiencing socioeconomic hardship. Outside of the ICU, some patients can use their own devices, such as mobile phones or iPads to contact family and friends. Most ICU patients; however, lack this capacity. This reduced access has significant health impacts on both patients and family members. Virtual visiting, that is communicating and connecting patients/families via video conferencing on designated devices, is intended to improve patient experience by putting the patient at the centre, providing families with greater access to their relative and to health care professionals (HCP) and increasing opportunities for families to partner with HCP.

Researchers wish to explore the feasibility of establishing virtual visiting as an adjunct to in-person visiting in ICUs across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.

You are invited to take part in a study and share your stories regarding your experiences of visiting in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This will be done through casual interviews (kōrero) with you and members of your family/whānau if you would like them present. Interviews can be held through kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face), Zoom or telephone.

By sharing your story, we wish to understand your experiences of visiting and recognise opportunities to improve this process for people who may experience similar circumstances.

• People who have previously been patients in the ICU who are over 16 years of age
  
  or 
  
  
• People who have been family/whānau members of patients previously in the ICU who are over 16 years of age
  
  or 
  
  
• Healthcare professionals working in the ICU who are over 16 years of age.
  

* Exclusion criteria: Patients or family/whānau of patients who are currently in the ICU.

Principal investigator
Dr Rachael Parke RN, MHSc, PhD
Email: r.parke@auckland.ac.nz

Co-investigator
Mrs Kathleen Mason, BHSc, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou
Email: k.mason@auckland.ac.nz