Experiences with and needs for aftercare following the death of a loved one in the ICU: a mixed-methods study among bereaved relatives.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bereaved relatives of intensive care unit (ICU) patients are at increased risk of psychological complaints. Aftercare might help them cope with processing the ICU admission and their loved one's death. There is little (qualitative) evidence on how bereaved relatives experience aftercare. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic likely impacted aftercare provision. We aim to examine how many relatives in Dutch ICUs received aftercare before and during the pandemic and to qualitatively describe their experiences and needs regarding aftercare.

Methods

A mixed-methods study among relatives of patients who died in an ICU before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bereaved relatives in six ICUs completed a questionnaire (n = 90), including two items on aftercare. These were analyzed us

SUBMITTER: Renckens SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10910713 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature