91

The survey presented here is the preliminary stage to a larger study; it is enriched by structuring concepts in nursing care, expressed in the philosophy of the study. Objectives: To compare the expectations and worries of patients, relatives, and nursing staff about “the integration of families in hospital care.” Material and Methods: The data was collected in 2 units, cancer-hematology (short stay, chemotherapy) and SSR-rehabilitation and long term care (between treatment, end-of-life care). The patients, families, and nursing staff were included in the study by means of semi-directive conversations, and questionnaires, initially specific to each group and then common to the three of them. The collected data were analyzed using the statistical SAS software, version 8. Results: The desire for integration on the part of families in care is unanimous: 100% answered affirmatively among patients and families, and 90% for the nursing staff. However, there are differences among the three groups according to the type of practiced treatment. Patients are hesitant about the participation of relatives in care connected to intimacy, and sometimes to technical care. Families generally go the same way as patients; they are always more favorable than patients would wish. Finally, the nursing staff is hesitant about the participation of relatives in technical care, highlighting the safety of patients. All agree that the participation of families in care can bring pleasant moments. Discussion: The integration of families in care could be beneficial from numerous points of view, provided that the nursing staff educates the families, and remains responsible for and supervises care. Further study should involve studying and testing a clear and confirmed way to teach care, concerning only the care accepted by patients and families as revealed by our study. We should remember that the data are based on verbal expectations which are not compared to the reality of the experiment. In its experimental phase, the study will verify the persistence of the expectations expressed in the survey.