Exploring Racial Differences in Family Expressions of Emotion and Clinician Empathy in ICU Family Meetings.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Critical care guidelines recommend that clinicians provide emotional support to families of critically ill patients during family meetings. Little is known about how family member race impacts how emotions are expressed and supported in meetings.

Research question

Are there differences in family members' expression of emotion and clinicians' provision of empathy in ICU family meetings involving Black and White family members?

Study design and methods

We conducted a directed content analysis of 40 audio-recorded meetings, matching 20 meetings with Black families and 20 meetings with White families on key characteristics including meeting length. Meetings included Black or White family members of patients receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation and critica

SUBMITTER: Modes ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12818917 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature