Table 3.
Descriptive Statistics for the Family Inventory of Needs
| Item I need to: |
Met | Unmet | Not Reported | Mean Importance Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be assured that the best possible care is being given to my family member | 79 (88.8%) | 2 (2.2%) | 8 (9.0%) | 9.87 (0.75) |
| Have my questions answered honestly | 78 (87.6%) | 1 (1.1%) | 10 (11.2%) | 9.73 (0.88) |
| Have explanations given in terms that are understandable | 77 (86.5%) | 1 (1.1%) | 11 (12.4%) | 9.61 (1.27) |
| Be informed of changes in my family member’s condition | 77 (86.5%) | 1 (1.1%) | 11 (12.4%) | 9.46 (1.76) |
| Know what treatment my family member is receiving | 76 (85.4%) | 2 (2.2%) | 11 (12.4%) | 9.35 (1.97) |
| Feel that the professionals care about the patients | 76 (85.4%) | 4 (4.5%) | 9 (10.1%) | 9.46 (1.04) |
| Know exactly what is being done to my family member | 75 (84.3%) | 3 (3.4%) | 11 (12.4%) | 9.34 (1.74) |
| Know the names of the health professionals involved in my family member’s care | 73 (82.0%) | 4 (4.5%) | 12 (13.5%) | 8.98 (2.37) |
| Feel there is hope | 73 (82.0%) | 6 (6.7%) | 10 (11.2%) | 9.62 (1.41) |
| Know why things are done for my family member | 72 (80.9%) | 3 (3.4%) | 14 (15.7%) | 9.40 (1.59) |
| Have someone be concerned with my family member’s health | 72 (80.9%) | 4 (4.5%) | 13 (14.6%) | 8.95 (2.37) |
| Know specific facts concerning my family member’s prognosis | 72 (80.9%) | 6 (6.7%) | 11 (12.4%) | 9.59 (1.18) |
| Help with my family member’s care | 70 (78.7%) | 3 (3.4%) | 16 (18.0%) | 8.72 (2.70) |
| Feel accepted by the health professionals | 70 (78.7%) | 4 (4.5%) | 15 (16.9%) | 8.36 (2.81) |
| Be told about changes in treatment plans while they are being made | 69 (77.5%) | 1 (1.1%) | 19 (21.3%) | 9.25 (2.12) |
| Have information about what to do for my family member at home | 68 (76.4%) | 6 (6.7%) | 15 (16.9%) | 9.03 (2.33) |
| Know what symptoms the treatment or disease can cause | 65 (73.0%) | 9 (10.1%) | 15 (16.9%) | 9.25 (1.88) |
| Know the probable outcome of my family member’s illness | 65 (73.0%) | 11 (12.4%) | 13 (14.6%) | 9.48 (1.21) |
| Know when to expect symptoms to occur | 62 (69.7%) | 12 (13.5%) | 15 (16.9%) | 9.18 (1.70) |
| Be told about people who could help with problems | 60 (67.4%) | 11 (12.4%) | 18 (20.2%) | 8.58 (2.46) |
Note: Standard deviations are in parentheses.