Conectar
To identify and synthesise existing evidence on family-centred care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and other diverse identities (LGBTQ+) people in acute hospital settings, including hospital-based palliative care, oncology, general in-patient and intensive care.
A scoping review guided by the JBI methodology.
Nine databases and grey literature sources were searched. Inclusion criteria focused on LGBTQ+ adults and family-related care experiences in hospital-based acute settings. After screening, qualitative, quantitative, and narrative data were extracted. Thematic analysis synthesised findings, with quantitative data narratively integrated.
Searches were conducted across nine databases and grey literature up to April 2025.
Five studies met inclusion criteria: three qualitative, one quantitative, and one reflective narrative. Four themes emerged: (1) invisibility and disclosure dilemmas, (2) exclusion of chosen families from visiting and decision-making, (3) barriers to inclusive communication and provider competence, and (4) enabling conditions for affirming care. Challenges occurred at interpersonal (e.g., provider assumptions, discomfort) and structural (e.g., lack of inclusive protocols, failure to recognise legal surrogates) levels. In the two studies reporting gender identity, transgender participants described heightened misrecognition and exclusion.
LGBTQ+ individuals and their chosen families face relational and structural barriers in acute hospital care. Inclusive interventions, protocols, and training are urgently needed to ensure affirming care.
Acute and intensive care providers should promote inclusive family engagement by using patient-preferred terminology, recognising chosen families, and advocating for inclusive policies and staff training.
This scoping review adhered to PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
Registered with the Open Science Framework: 10.17605/OSF.IO/FSU8D (23/02/2025)
To explore the existing literature on delirium within the acute care setting from the family members' perspective and summarise key findings.
A scoping review guided by Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework and refined by the Joanna Briggs Institute.
The Population, Concept, and Context framework recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute's scoping review protocol identified the main concepts in the primary review question. The inclusion criteria focused on primary research studies from any chronological date that explored the family members' experience of delirium within the acute care setting. Following screening by two independent reviewers, data extraction was conducted and presented in tabular form, detailing the study aim, sample, setting, methods, key findings and recommendations for future research and clinical practice.
A comprehensive search was conducted in January 2025 using CINAHL+, MEDLINE, JBI, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar. Citation searching and reference lists supplemented this review to identify relevant studies.
Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Families' experiences of delirium were categorised into (1) lack of awareness and understanding of delirium; (2) communication and informational needs of family members regarding delirium; (3) the emotional impact delirium has on family members, and (4) family desire to participate in their loved one's care.
This review highlighted a paucity of literature addressing the experiences of family members who witness delirium in the acute care setting. The existing research underscored the need for clear communication and information regarding delirium to mitigate the negative emotional impact that delirium places on families.
This scoping review provides insights into the challenges facing families witnessing delirium in the acute care setting. A better understanding of family members' experiences can guide the development of a supported family-centred approach to delirium care.
No patient/public contribution.
FreshRSS 