Nursing Interventions for Post-Intensive Care Syndrome in Follow-Up Clinics: A Scoping Review

TL;DR

This review explores nursing interventions for Post-Intensive Care Syndrome in follow-up clinics to improve recovery for patients and families.

Contribution

The study identifies and categorizes nursing interventions for PICS in follow-up clinics, emphasizing their role in recovery.

Findings

Nursing interventions for patients include debriefing, symptom evaluation, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Family-focused interventions involve educational sessions and emotional support.

Follow-up clinics are critical for physical, mental, and emotional rehabilitation of ICU survivors.

Abstract

The rise in ICU survival rates has introduced new challenges related to the long-term effects of intensive care, known as Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). Nurses play a key role in these clinics; however, the nature and outcomes of their interventions remain insufficiently understood. Objectives: This review aims to identify nursing interventions for PICS in follow-up clinics. Methods: Using the JBI scoping review methodology, we searched PubMed, Web of Science and CINAHL (via EBSCOhost) in March 2025, and examined grey literature in RCAAP and Open Dissertations (through B-ON). Inclusion criteria, based on JBI’s PCC (Population, Concept, Context), focused on nursing interventions for PICS for patients and families in follow-up. Studies involving children, adolescents, pregnant women, and those receiving end-of-life care were excluded. Results: Encompassing studies from 2005 to 2022 across multiple countries, this review highlights nursing interventions for post-ICU recovery. A total of 394 articles that met our search criteria were found, resulting from searches in the mentioned databases. These were initially exported to Rayyan, and 115 duplicates were removed. The 21 articles that met our inclusion criteria were fully analyzed, and those that effectively answered our questions and met our inclusion criteria were selected. In the end, 9 articles were selected, to which, after an individual analysis of their bibliographic references, 3 more were added, totaling 12 articles submitted to the final analysis. Conclusions: For patients, interventions ranged from debriefing, PICS symptom evaluation, ICU re-visits, health education, cognitive–behavioral therapy and support groups, complemented by home-based physical rehabilitation and virtual reality. Family-focused interventions centered on appointment involvement, educational sessions, patient diary review, and emotional support. These assessments and interventions address the consequences of ICU admission, with the goal of facilitating physical, mental, and emotional rehabilitation of ICU survivors. This review emphasizes the critical role of follow-up consultations in the recovery of both patients and families. A comprehensive assessment using PICS scales and the integration of families into care plans are crucial for optimizing intervention outcomes. Implications for Clinical Practice: The development of evidence-based guidelines for implementation of follow-up clinics for SPICI appointments is necessary.

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