Theorising survivorship after intensive care: A systematic review of patient and family experiences

Aims and Objective This systematic literature review explores maps what we know about survivorship to understand how can be theoretically defined. Background Survivorship of critical illness has been identified as a challenge for the 21st Century. Whilst use term ‘survivorship’ is now common in care, it borrowed from cancer where discourse on means context ongoing remains largely descriptive. In absence theoretical understanding, often used generic way, limiting our understanding is. The current COVID-19 pandemic adds an urgency intensive care unit (ICU) might mean, given emerging long-term consequences this patient cohort. We set out explore after being conceptualised implications clinical practice research. Design Integrated review. protocol was registered with PROSPERO International Prospective Register Systematic Reviews. PRISMA guidelines were followed checklist reporting reviews completed. Results three main themes around which reviewed studies organised are: (a) healthcare system; (b) ICU survivors’ families; (c) survivor's identity. These feed into overarching core theme ‘ICU Experiences’. map knowledge happens when survives are survivorship. Conclusion mapped different pieces jigsaw that emerge following see bigger picture patients survive illness. It evident existing research these connections, but have not managed do yet defining theoretically. offer preliminary definition process aware needs developed further families.