Beyond Functional Outcomes: Exploring Quality of Life After Critical Illness - A Qualitative Study.

• DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000006665
• Publication Date: 2025-03-31
• Authors: Lucy L. Porter; Koen Wijntjes; Koen S. Simons; Mark van den Boog...; José A. E. Custers; Marieke Zegers

After ICU admission, the quality of life (QoL) survivors is often significantly lower compared to their peers. However, recent studies showed that this impaired QoL cannot be fully explained by physical, mental, and cognitive problems post-ICU, alluding other determinants QoL. Therefore, we aimed explore survivors' experienced 1-2 years focusing on factors beyond functional outcomes. Qualitative interview study. Seven hospitals in Netherlands. aged greater than or equal 16 admitted between July 2022 January 2023. None. patients were purposively sampled. Interviews audiotaped, transcribed, analyzed according principles thematic content analysis. All interviews coded independently two researchers participant recruitment was continued until no new themes identified. Twenty-four semistructured performed March June 2024. The resulted 28 categories, from which seven main emerged regarding patients' QoL: impairments (e.g., physical problems), participation independence, work), support informal care), environment financial resources, personal circumstances), individual values perspective life, religion), comparison expectations, reference), coping adaptation, acceptance). Patients described how these affected QoL, both positively negatively. This study shows perceived after critical illness impacted not only but also participation, support, environment, values, comparison, coping. identified stress importance considering context provide optimal post-ICU support.