Effectiveness of family-centered empowerment program on the care needs of families of patients with a traumatic head injury

Abstract
Background: Most survivors of traumatic head injury, due to functional disorders, are dependent on their family members. In fact, these families are at the forefront of many challenges and stresses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of a family-centered empowerment program on the care needs of the families of patients with traumatic head injuries discharged from Al-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan in 2019.Methods: The present study was a clinical trial conducted among 56 family members of patients with traumatic head injury. The samples were randomly allocated to two groups: experiment and control. The experimental group received an empowerment program based on the "family-centered empowerment model" through 3-5 sessions of 45-60 minutes, while the control group received routine education during discharge. Data was collected using a checklist for demographic information as well as the standardized Family Need Questionnaire (FNQ).Results: Based on the findings of the present study, the level that the care needs have been met regarding health information, emotional support, instrumental support, and professional support was statistically significant higher in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The average care needs related to health information, emotional care, and instrumental support were statistically significant lower in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). While considering community support network, the average care needs were statistically significant lower in the control group compared to the experimental group (p < 0.05); however, about involvement in care, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups of experiment and control (p > 0.05).Conclusion: To meet the care needs of the families of patients with traumatic head injuries discharged from medical centers, implementation of the family-centered empowerment program is effective, and it results in improvement and continuous providing of services at home and meeting families’ care needs. Therefore, the application of such programs is recommended for healthcare planners.