Family Engagement in Intensive Care Units : A Scoping Review

Purpose : This study aimed to examine how family engagement in intensive care units has been defined and conceptualized, to identify existing models and frameworks, and to develop an integrated conceptual structure through synthesis of its core components, interventions, and outcomes. Methods : A scoping review was conducted following the frameworks of Arksey and O’Malley and Levac et al. and reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Reviews guidelines. PubMed and CINAHL were searched for studies published between January 2016 and March 2026 involving adult intensive care unit patients and their families. Studies addressing family engagement or related concepts were included. Data were extracted and analyzed using descriptive analysis and thematic synthesis to identify key components and their relationships. Results : A total of 617 articles were retrieved, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria. Family engagement was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct comprising communication, shared decision-making, emotional support, participation in care, and relational interaction. Although various models and frameworks were identified, few studies provided an integrated theoretical structure. Thematic synthesis indicated that family engagement comprises antecedents, core components, interaction processes, interventions, and multilevel outcomes, with dynamic relationships among these domains. Conclusion : Family engagement in intensive care units can be understood as a relational process involving interactions among patients, families, and healthcare providers. This study advances the field by proposing an integrated conceptual structure that clarifies relationships among key domains and provides a theoretical foundation for developing structured interventions and standardized outcome measures.