Abstract
Introduction: Family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) has gained attention worldwide as a controversial practice, with potential benefits and challenges. However, in Iran, families are typically excluded from resuscitation rooms during resuscitation efforts. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of Iranian emergency department (ED) staff toward FPDR.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 124 nurses and 24 physicians in the EDs of four hospitals in Northwest Iran. Participants were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected through a 27-item questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
Results: Over half of the ED nurses and physicians (52.4% nurses and 54.2% physicians) supported FPDR when the patient was the ED nurse's or physician's immediate family member. However, this support significantly decreased and transformed into opposition when the patients were neither ED nurses or physicians themselves nor their immediate family members (78.2% of nurses and 91.7% of physicians). Similarly, opposition remained high when the ED nurses or physicians considered themselves code patients (91.1% of nurses and 83.3% of physicians opposed FPDR).
Conclusion: The study findings suggest that attitudes toward FPDR among Iranian ED nurses and physicians are influenced by their connections with the patient. While the majority initially opposed FPDR when treating unrelated patients or considering themselves as code patients, their attitude significantly decreased and shifted towards support when considering themselves as immediate family members of patients undergoing resuscitation.