Abstract

BackgroundFamily caregivers of former intensive care unit (ICU) patients may suffer from physical and mental problems owing to ICU hospitalisation of their loved ones. These problems can have a major impact on their daily lives. Little is known about experienced consequences of ICU hospitalisation on caregivers in general practice.AimTo explore health problems in family caregivers of former ICU patients and the consequences in their daily lives.Design & settingSemi-structured interviews with family caregivers of former critically ill patients treated in a Dutch ICU.MethodPurposively sampled relatives of former ICU patients were interviewed between April and May 2019. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. Interviews were then thematically analysed.ResultsIn total, 13 family caregivers were interviewed. The interviews took place 3 months to 3 years after ICU discharge. Expressed problems were categorised into six themes: (1) physical functioning (for example, tiredness, headache, and feeling sick more often); (2) mental health (for example, anxiety, more stress and difficulty in expressing emotions); (3) existential dimension and future (for example, uncertainty about the future); (4) quality of life (for example, losing freedom in life); (5) relationship and social participation (for example, experiencing a lack of understanding); and (6) daily functioning (for example, stopping working).ConclusionCaregivers experience several health problems, even years after their relative's ICU episode. Healthcare providers should be focused not only on former ICU patients’ health, but also on their caregivers’, and need to signal and identify caregivers' health problems earlier in order to give them the appropriate care and support they need.

Highlights

  • Members can act as a crucial extension of the formal healthcare system

  • Expressed problems were categorised into six themes: (1) physical functioning; (2) mental health; (3) existential dimension and future; (4) quality of life; (5) relationship and social participation; and (6) daily functioning

  • Healthcare providers should be focused on former intensive care unit (ICU) patients’ health, and on their caregivers’, and need to signal and identify caregivers' health problems earlier in order to give them the appropriate care and support they need. How this fits in Family caregivers of former ICU patients can develop physical, mental, social, and financial problems due to the ICU hospitalisation of their relative, which negatively affects their quality of life

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Summary

Introduction

As 80% of adults requiring long-­term care live at home or in community settings, family members provide 90% of this care.[1,2] caregiving is associated with multiple types of burden for caregivers.[3]. This applies to family caregivers of former ICU patients.[4,5,6] Many patients who survive ICU hospitalisation deal with physical, cognitive, financial, and/or psychosocial problems years after ICU discharge. Little is known about experienced consequences of ICU hospitalisation on caregivers in general practice

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