Home discharge following critical illness: A qualitative analysis of family caregiver experience.
JiYeon Choi, Jennifer H Lingler, Michael P Donahoe and 3 others
PMID 29731146WHAT IT FOUND
Family caregivers of ICU survivors felt overwhelmed and unprepared at home discharge, then stayed vigilant as emotional needs continued after physical care needs were mentioned less.
They often neglected their own health despite ICU staff advice.
Key findings
0110 of 20 caregivers described hands-on help with daily activities as common early after home discharge.
0211 of 20 caregivers described feeling overwhelmed and unprepared when patients came home, even when other family support existed.
034 of 20 caregivers described their own physical health being negatively affected after more than 2 months post-home discharge.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The findings come from a secondary analysis of interviews from a small pilot study. The sample was 20 caregivers from one medical ICU, all white and predominantly well-educated, so it may not represent other families. Only one caregiver per patient was interviewed, so other family members' contributions were missing. Follow-up ended at 4 months, and only patients discharged home during that period were included, so families with later home discharge were not captured. The study did not sample for maximum variation or collect data until saturation.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The article is listed as supported by NIH extramural and non-U.S. government research support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that caregiver support improves outcomes. This study tested no intervention and interviewed 20 caregivers from one medical ICU.