The Crisis of the Forgotten Family

This aper presents the problems encountered by relatives of hospital ICU patients. A review of the literature focuses on the nature and management of acute grief in a medical crisis setting. The interface between relatives and hospital staff around patient needs and family needs for information, guidance and support is also considered. A recommendation for group work intervention is made, and the role of the social worker as the appropriate agent of change in progress toward a hospital responsive to human need is discussed.