Supporting Post-ICU Recovery: A Narrative Review for General Practitioners

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Primary Care Medicine
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Intensive care unit (ICU) survivors frequently experience long-term physical, cognitive, and mental health deficits, known as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS).
• Caregivers of ICU patients can also experience significant distress, termed PICS-F (PICS family).
• Current post-ICU follow-up care is often fragmented, placing a substantial burden on general practitioners (GPs) to manage these complex patient needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the critical role of general practitioners (GPs) in the ongoing management of patients following intensive care unit (ICU) discharge.
• To outline common post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) complications, screening methods, and rehabilitation approaches relevant to primary care.
• To identify opportunities for enhanced collaboration between ICU teams and primary care providers to optimize patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• This review synthesizes current literature on post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) and the role of general practitioners (GPs).
• It examines established screening tools, therapeutic interventions, and models of care for managing PICS in the primary care setting.
• The review also considers the impact of PICS on family caregivers and the potential for integrated care approaches.

Main Results:

• General practitioners (GPs) are central to identifying and managing the multifaceted challenges of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS).
• Effective management involves utilizing validated screening tools, implementing tailored rehabilitation strategies, and addressing both patient and caregiver needs.
• Improved communication and collaboration between ICU specialists and GPs are essential for seamless care transitions and sustained recovery.

Conclusions:

• General practitioners (GPs) require enhanced support and resources to effectively manage post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) in the community.
• A proactive, multidisciplinary approach involving GPs is vital for improving the long-term quality of life for ICU survivors.
• Strengthening primary care's role in post-ICU follow-up can significantly reduce healthcare utilization and improve patient outcomes.