Family Carers in Critical Care V2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Informal carers' experiences of providing care to patients discharged home after critical illness
IRAS ID
239049
Contact name
Louise Stayt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford Brookes University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Patients, who have had life threatening critical illnesses and have been cared for in specialist healthcare departments such as intensive care, may have ongoing physical, psychological and emotional problems upon discharge home. In addition to physical difficulties, such as fatigue and muscle weakness, patients have reported suffering from anxiety, depression, and post- traumatic stress, which often results in a long and complex rehabilitation. Patients’ family members have also reported psychological problems such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress following the patients’ critical illness. Relatives, spouse and friends often adopt the role of informal carer, providing practical, physical, and emotional support during the patients’ rehabilitation. In addition to their own psychological problems, relatives must endure the burdens and stresses associated with providing informal care to the patient at home. The combination of stresses may have implications for the informal carers health and well-being and the sustainability of informal care provision to the patient rehabilitating from critical illness. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of informal carers who provide care for patients discharged from hospital after critical illness. It is hoped that this study will be able to identify any modifiable factors that influence informal carer well-being and also highlight any unmet informational or supportive needs which if met, may support and sustain their informal carer. Relatives, spouse, friends who provide informal care will be invited to participate in a telephone interview lasting approximately 30 to 60 minutes, three to four months after the patient is discharged home. The interviews will be digitally recorded and then transcribed. The transcripts will be analysed and common themes identified. Participants will be offered the opportunity to check transcripts for accuracy and to comment on the derived themes if they are willing and able.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SC/0652
Date of REC Opinion
24 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion