Validation of a ratio scale for family needs at an intensive care unit

The hospitalization of a close relative due to unexpected critical illness may trigger an unbalance in the patient's family structure. The family plays an important role in the patient's recovery and, often, its needs are unknown by nurses and little emphasis is given to attention to the family's needs. This study aimed to validate a ratio-level scale of family needs at an intensive care unit (ICU). The sample consisted of 52 family members who visited their relatives during ICU hospitalization. Psychophysical methods of magnitude estimation (ME) and cross modality matching (line length) were used, calculating the geometric mean of each need by both methods. The results showed a high agreement on needs among the participants, with a Pearson coefficient of r= 0.97 (p<0.0001). The relationship between these methods can be described as a power function, confirming that this scale of family needs is valid, stable and consistent.