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1
Post-Intensive Care Syndrome-Family includes anxiety, depression, PTSD, and prolonged grief disorder and affects 20% to 60% of families after critical illness.
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2
In a qualitative study, researchers interviewed 17 relatives of mechanically ventilated patients who had PTSD symptoms 3 months after the ICU stay.
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3
Families described abrupt illness onset, prior stressors, guilt, and uncertainty as factors that intensified distress.
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4
Familiarity with ICU staff, clinician empathy, and high-quality communication helped families, whereas unfamiliar surroundings, altered interactions, waiting, and daily demands intensified stress.
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5
Bereaved relatives valued time to prepare for death and participate in treatment-withdrawal decisions, but found the technical setting and viewing the deceased’s body difficult.
