[The issues to be considered by a compassionate care think tank].

Compassionate care is based on an individual and collective dynamic process. Otherness, recognition, the meaning given to actions are fundamental preliminary considerations of any approach in this direction. A group of engaged professionals can initiate and support a project for promoting compassionate care in an institution.

Survey of caregiver opinions on the practicalities of family-centred care in intensive care units.

Aims And Objectives: To determine caregiver opinion on their intensive care unit's policies with regard to visiting hours, how families are informed and participate in patient care.

Background: Benefits of improving family access to the intensive care unit, information delivery and participation of families in care have been suggested.

Design: Survey of caregivers working in French-speaking intensive care units.