Psychosocial recovery following ICU: experiences and influences upon discharge to the community.

While appropriate referrals to community services upon discharge home may address the physical needs of former intensive care patients, the psychological needs may be overlooked. This pilot study describes the recovery period following discharge to home of former intensive care unit (ICU) patients and their significant others, and identifies factors influencing recovery and the role of community support in the recovery period.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five patients and four significant others, 6 to 15 weeks following discharge from the ICU. Data were analysed using constant comparison to identify recurring categories and themes. The recovery period was characterized by the patients' focus on physical recovery with the major theme described as 'moving on', incorporating normalizing life, return to usual routines, and leaving behind the ICU experience. Factors influencing the recovery period included individual attitudes, prior experiences, the ICU experience and support of family and friends. Community support was not commonly utilized with participants describing a perceived stigma attached to asking for professional help. Attention to physical needs and care often masked the psychological support received, particularly from family members. Despite awareness of community supports, patients were generally reluctant to avail themselves of any of these services. Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.