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. 2023 Oct;49(10):1203-1211.
doi: 10.1007/s00134-023-07202-9. Epub 2023 Sep 12.

Post-hospital recovery trajectories of family members of critically ill COVID-19 survivors: an international qualitative investigation

Joanne McPeake  1 , Pedro Castro  2 , Nancy Kentish-Barnes  3 , Cecilia Cuzco  2   4 , Elie Azoulay  3 , Pamela MacTavish  5 , Tara Quasim  5   6 , Kathryn Puxty  5   6
Affiliations

Post-hospital recovery trajectories of family members of critically ill COVID-19 survivors: an international qualitative investigation

Joanne McPeake et al. Intensive Care Med. 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Purpose: The immediate impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) visiting restrictions for family members has been well-documented. However, the longer-term trajectory, including mechanisms for support, is less well-known. To address this knowledge gap, we aimed to explore the post-hospital recovery trajectory of family members of patients hospitalised with a critical care COVID-19 admission. We also sought to understand any differences across international contexts.

Methods: We undertook semi-structured interviews with family members of patients who had survived a COVID-19 critical care admission. Family members were recruited from Spain and the United Kingdom (UK) and telephone interviews were undertaken. Interviews were analysed using a thematic content analysis.

Results: Across the international sites, 19 family members were interviewed. Four themes were identified: changing relationships and carer burden; family health and trauma; social support and networks and differences in lived experience. We found differences in the social support and networks theme across international contexts, with Spanish participants more frequently discussing religion as a form of support.

Conclusions: This international qualitative investigation has demonstrated the challenges which family members of patients hospitalised with a critical care COVID-19 admission experience following hospital discharge. Specific support mechanisms which could include peer support networks, should be implemented for family members to ensure ongoing needs are met.

Keywords: COVID-19; Family; Long-term outcomes; Visiting.

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Conflict of interest statement

EA reported receipt of personal fees (lectures) from Pfizer, Gilead, Baxter, and Alexion; and institutional research grants from Merck Sharp and Dohme, Pfizer, Baxter, and Alexion outside the submitted work.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Conceptual figure describing the challenges family members faced during recovery, alongside supportive features of recovery and potential protective strategies
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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