Using patient experiences to improve recovery after critical illness
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using Experience-based Co-design (EBCD) to capture and understand patient experiences following critical illness and to co-design healthcare services with staff and patients to improve care provision for recovering patients
IRAS ID
181961
Contact name
Jacqueline Baldwin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Central Lancashire
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
Title: Using patient experiences to improve recovery after critical illness.
Rationale: Patients recovering from critical illness often have complex health problems. Memory disturbances and delirium, common amongst critical care patients, can lead to long-term psychological problems, whilst weight and muscle loss associated with critical illness leaves patients with extreme fatigue, making it difficult to resume normal activities. Patients are often unable to fully recall their critical illness, making them unprepared for the time and effort needed to resume their health.
Some hospitals have established critical care follow-up clinics to address patients’ recovery needs. Such services focus on patients who have longer or complicated critical care stays, and tend to be offered to patients within the first six months after critical care discharge. Attendance at these services is variable and the reasons for this are unclear. Many patients are unsure where to find help for health problems arising during recovery and perceive their healthcare needs remain unmet.
This study will use service improvement methodology to improve follow-up care and services for patients after critical illness.
Design: This study will take place in three phases over 18 months:
Phase 1 (capturing the experience)
a. Former critical care patients will be interviewed about their experiences of receiving care on the general wards following critical care discharge and any follow-up services they received or felt they required after hospital discharge.
b. Healthcare staff will be interviewed about their experiences of providing care and follow-up services after critical illness.Phase 2 (understanding the experience)
A patient experience event will be held in which patients discuss their experiences in order to identify emotional ’touchpoints’ and identify potential priorities for service improvement.Phase 3 (improving the experience)
Patient and healthcare staff will meet and identify priorities for improving follow-up care and make recommendations for ongoing for service improvement.REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0791
Date of REC Opinion
4 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion