What are family member experiences of the resuscitation of a relative?

Little is known about family members' experiences and their needs and priorities. Resuscitation is a complex and highly emotive situation but guidance for paramedics to support families either in the decision-making process or to remain present is limited. Policy developments around improved and shared decision-making are not evident in any guidance for resuscitation for paramedics. Paramedics have always been involved in resuscitation in the family home, but as they remain on scene for longer periods, it is important that the issue of family participation is addressed and specific guidance produced to enable paramedics to offer more focused and enhanced support to them, and utilise the family members in the decision making process which is a requirement from recent policy developments.

A systematic review methodology was used to examine primary research studies from a qualitative perspective, and gain insight into the feelings and perceptions of family members who witness an adult family member resuscitation. This enabled a line-by-line examination to determine themes across and within the studies to inform a ‘meta-synthesis’ of the studies selected for this review. This resulted in four main themes emerging from the analysis of over 34 smaller themes, which were re-categorised and sub-themed into major topics for further analysis and discussion to formulate implications for practice and further reseach.