Self-compassion during recovery from critical illness
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploration of critical care survivors’ experience of self-compassion during recovery from critical illness, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
IRAS ID
341954
Contact name
Jessica Lewis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Plymouth
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 5 days
Research summary
Advancements in critical care medicine have notably improved patient outcomes in recent decades, leading to increased survival rates. Consequently, there is a heightened focus on understanding the implications of intensive care survivorship and quality of life post-critical illness. Psychological issues such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common following discharge from critical care. Despite guidelines advocating psychological follow-up support for patients who have been critically unwell in an intensive care unit (ICU), evidence on the efficacy remains inconclusive. The exploration of self-compassion as a construct offers a potential avenue for addressing long-term psychological well-being, given its effectiveness in various health conditions.
An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) will be used with 6-10 patients who have been critically unwell, spending at least 72 hours in ICU and discharged for a minimum of 3 months. Purposive sampling will be used to recruit from the Critical Care Psychology service in Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM UHB). Semi-structured interviews, informed by the research question and literature, will collect data. In accordance with the agreed IPA methods, data will be analysed in an iterative and inductive way. External review and the use of a reflective diary will enhance the trustworthiness of the project.
Currently, there is a lack of research exploring ICU survivors’ perspectives on self-compassion and its role in psychological recovery from critical illness. This study aims to bridge this gap by conducting a rich and detailed exploration of ICU survivors’ experiences and understanding of self-compassion, contributing to a deeper comprehension of its role in critical care recovery.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SW/0111
Date of REC Opinion
16 Oct 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion