Abstract
Objective: To clarify the awareness of family members of patients with severe consciousness disorder within about 1 month of sudden onset who require nursing support.
Methods: The present qualitative inductive research employed a grounded theory approach. Participants were family members of patients with consciousness disorders with a GCS of approximately 10 at the end of acute care. Eight family members were chosen by theoretical sampling. Data obtained by the participant-observer and semistructured interview methods were subjected to constant comparison analysis.
Results: From the base point of “the intersection between truth and lie,” an awareness process consisting of the following four phase categories was identified: “I just want the patient to live”; “I want the patient to get back to normal”; “The patient may not return to normal”; and “acceptance of change,” in that order. The central phenomenon of the process was categorized as “coexistence of disappointment and hope for the patient with consciousness disorder” and was positioned as the core category of the present research. Furthermore, family members accepted patients with consciousness disorder with hope based on interactions among “wobbling,” “supporting them” and “furthering of acceptance.”
Conclusion: These results suggest the importance of supporting family members by understanding their awareness in each phase.
