Effective transition: A dual and stressful challenge for patients in the intensive care unit

Abstract

Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), who generally recover from a difficult and life-threatening condition, often suffer from its complications in various physical, mental, psychological, and social dimensions [1]. It is necessary to adjust these conditions and prevent the spread of their complications, to support the recovery of these patients. Therefore, proper preparation of the patient in different dimensions and correct education of them during transfer from the ICU are vital [2]. Although discharge is a positive step towards the patient's recovery, a patient who is not mentally or physically ready to transfer to the ward will experience severe anxiety during the transfer from the ICU to the general ward, which is caused by a phenomenon called the effective transition [3].