The Effect of Video Call with Family Members on Physiological Parameters of Critically Ill Patients in Intensive Care Unit: A Quasi-experimental Study

Aim and background: There are not enough studies on the direct effect of virtual patient visits on patients' vital signs in intensive care. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of video calls made between conscious patients and their families on the patient's vital signs and to determine the level of satisfaction.Materials and methods: The research was carried out quasi-experimentally. Study data were collected from 135 patients and their relatives. The data were collected from the vital signs monitoring form and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Satisfaction with the video call was measured with a score scale between 0 and 5. Video calls were conducted by an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse every day between 13:00 and 15:00 for 5 days. Physiological parameters were measured 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after the video calls.Results: The mean patient pulse rate (PR) value was 92.04 +/- 12.87, respiratory rate (RR) value was 22.89 +/- 3.63, and GCS total score was 14.01 +/- 0.12 during the call. There was a statistically significant difference between these values measured during the video calls and the values measured before and after the interview (p < 0.00). The mean score of patient satisfaction with the video call was 4.80 +/- 0.44; for relatives, the mean score was 4.87 +/- 0.33.Conclusion: This study revealed that video calls with family members affected PR, RR, and GCS of patients hospitalized in ICU.Clinical significance: Video calls can be implemented in all ICUs where visits are restricted. This practice is well recognized by both families and patients.