Patients' and family members' dyadic experience of post-operative delirium in the intensive care unit: A qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Post-operative delirium is a complication with long-lasting consequences for both patients and their families. This is particularly true for those transferred to the intensive care unit after surgery, where the incidence of post-operative delirium is high, and patient outcomes are often poor. Despite the acknowledged role of family engagement in delirium management, previous research has mainly focused on patients, with limited exploration of the shared experiences between patients and family members.

Aim

This study aims to explore the experiences of patients and family members during episodes of post-operative delirium in the intensive care unit to better understand their unmet needs.

Study design

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary

SUBMITTER: Dong J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11831243 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature