Delirium-related distress in hospital: a scoping review and concept analysis
Publication Details
Campbell, K.,
DiGiacomo, M.,
Disalvo, D.,
&
Hosie, A.
(2026).
Delirium-related distress in hospital: a scoping review and concept analysis.
Delirium,.
Abstract
Background
Delirium is an acute neurocognitive condition that is often distressing for patients, family carers and hospital staff. The exact nature of delirium-related distress has not been confirmed in the literature. Understanding delirium-related distress is required to develop a consensus definition and research measures.
Objective
To review published literature on delirium-related distress using the concept analysis method to develop a cohesive understanding of this concept that informs future research.
Methods
A scoping review and concept analysis using Walker and Avant’s method. A data extraction tool was developed to include aims, methods, demographics and results, antecedents, consequences, attributes, protective factors and empirical referents (measures) of delirium-related distress Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies published since 1980 were included. Databases searched were MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo and Scopus on 19 June 2023, with an updated search on 14 October 2024.
Results
Of the 14,243 titles and abstracts screened, 572 articles were included for full text review, and 57 articles were included for analysis. Antecedents of delirium-related distress included lack of prior knowledge of delirium and the hospital environment. Attributes were largely psycho-emotional in nature; as were consequences, with the addition of health avoidance. Feeling safe through the presence of familiar family or nurses was a common protective factor. Three empirical referents for delirium-related distress were also identified.
Conclusion
Future research could attend to building the evidence base for antecedents, consequences and protective factors of delirium-related distress and should prioritise the development and measurement of interventions for delirium-related distress for patients in hospital.
Keywords
delirium, neurocognitive condition, conceptual analysis, delirium-related distress, development of interventions
Link to Publisher Version (URL)
