Barriers and facilitators to offering post-intensive care follow-up services from the perspective of critical care professionals: A qualitative study

Background: Various programmes and models for post-intensive care unit (ICU) follow-up services have been developed worldwide. In China, post-ICU follow-up remains in the exploratory stage and little is known regarding the appropriate form and challenges of implementation, which need to be further explored.Aim: This study aimed to explore and describe the barriers to and facilitators of post-ICU follow-up services from the perspective of critical care professionals.Design: This was a descriptive qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 health care workers whose units had offered ICU survivors different forms of follow-up services; the data were analysed by qualitative content analysis during August 2022 and December 2022.Setting: The study was conducted at 14 ICUs in 11 tertiary hospitals in Shanghai, China.Findings: Seventeen subthemes were extracted as barriers and facilitators in the follow-up of ICU survivors. In the initiating process, the barriers included the restriction of decision-making rights and scope of practice, indifferent attitude towards survivors and repeated work. The facilitators included admitted significance, the needs of ICU survivors, the conscientiousness of professionals and the pioneers and leadership support. In the implementation process, lack of confidence, lack of cooperation in medical consortium, distrusted relationships, restrictions of medical insurance, ageing problems and insufficient human resources acted as barriers, whereas lessons learned, positive feedback and digital support served as facilitators. Furthermore, recommendations and tips were identified for offering follow-up services.Conclusion: Medical personnel can better utilize available resources and develop strategies to overcome constraints by gaining insights into the abovementioned barriers and facilitators. The findings of this study can provide a useful reference for structured and systematic follow-ups to ameliorate post-intensive care syndrome in low- and middle-income countries.Relevance to Clinical Practice: Publicity and educational measures play a crucial role in enhancing the awareness of survivors and the consensus of health care professionals from medical consortium regarding impairments after critical care. Leadership and policy support can address numerous obstacles to guiding follow-up services.