Surviving ICU... what's next?
Surviving ICU... what's next?
An admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) because of a life-threatening illness can have serious and long-lasting consequences. Many patients who survive the ICU experience ongoing physical, psychological, or cognitive problems, and some never fully return to their pre-ICU level of functioning. This is known as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Family members are also deeply affected. The stress and uncertainty of the ICU period can leave them with symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. This is referred to as PICS-F (the family form of PICS).
As more patients survive critical illness, it becomes increasingly important to look beyond survival alone and to focus on research outcomes that reflect how people live and participate in daily life after the ICU stay.
This thesis of Marisa Onrust contributes to a broader understanding of recovery after critical illness, for both patients and their families. At its core is the concept of health-related quality of life, which highlights the experiences and perspectives of patients and families, but also helps guide care decisions.
Furthermore, this thesis shows how crucial the social context of recovery is. How people perceive their health and recovery is strongly shaped by their relationships and environment. Recognizing the role of the family system can lead to a more holistic and effective approach to ICU and post-ICU care.