Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of nursing information on the level of need fulfillment and anxiety of the emergency patient's family members. The quasi-experimental study was designed using a noneqivalent control group non-synchronized design. During the first period, 30 subjects were assigned to the control group and 25 to the experimental group at a late period. The experimental group was provided with nursing information via guide booklet designed by the researcher. The control group received only routine care. Data was collected from January 31 to April 16 in 1996 at the K hospital in Taegu and analysed by chi-square test, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation with SAS program. The instruments used for this study were the Family Needs Scale developed by Jung and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory developed by Spielberger. The results of this study were summarized as follows : 1. The first hypothesis that the family members who received nursing information will have greater need fulfillment than family members who did not receive nursing information was supported. 2. The second hypothesis that the family members who received nursing information will have lower anxiety level than family members who did not receive nursing information was not supported. 3. The third hypothesis that the more the need of family member of emergency patient was met, the lower the anxiety level, was not supported. In conclusion, it was proved that nursing information about the emergency room provides family members with more need fulfillment, but did not decrease the anxiety level.