Annals of Anesthesiology and Critical Care

Abstract

Context: Family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) is a controversial debate throughout the world. Experts believe that FPDR
is a cultural and ethnical issue and that countries have different views regarding this matter. The aim of this study is a systematic
review and meta-analysis of all available studies assessing patient families’ views regarding their presence during resuscitation.
Evidence Acquisition: Studies reported attitudes of the patients’ relatives toward FPDR were eligible for inclusion. Case reports,
letters, opinion pieces, and reviews were excluded from the study. A systematic search was conducted in Medline, Embase, CINAHL,
Cochrane library,Web of Science, SCOPUS, PsycInfo, and other related databases based on selected keywords. The qualities of studies
were assessed using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and STROBE statement. Comprehensive meta-analysis (version-2)
was used for data analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane Q-statistic and the I2 statistic. Publication bias was detected
through funnel plot.
Results: A total of 18 studies were selected, including 10 cross-sectionals and 8 control trials. The results were categorized in three
items: tendency for being present, satisfaction, and coping. A meta-analysis was done for 9 descriptive cross-sectional studies. The
event rate of being present was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.60 - 0.83), which was statistically significant (P = 0.001), whereas the event rate of
coping was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.48 - 0.73) and was not statistically significant.
Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the patients’ families tend to be present during resuscitation and believe that
some rules should support FPDR. In terms of anxiety disorders and PTSD, when there were more intervals, family’s presence and
their emotional supports had a positive effect on them. However, the role of the medical staff cannot be ignored in this regard.