Interviews with primary care physicians identify unmet transition needs after ICU

Abstract

Aim: We sought to explore unmet needs in transitions of care for critical illness survivors that concern primary care physicians.

Findings: Semi-structured interviews with primary care physicians identified three categories of concerns about unmet transition needs after patients' ICU stays: patients' understanding of their ICU stay and potential complications, treatments or support needs not covered by insurance, and starting and maintaining needed rehabilitation and assistance across transitions of care.

Conclusion: Given current constraints of access to coordinated post-ICU care, efforts to identify and address the post-hospitalization needs of critical illness survivors may be improved through coordinated work across the health system.

Keywords: Care transitions; Communication; Financial toxicity; Post-ICU care; Primary care.