Supporting Post-ICU Recovery: A Narrative Review for General Practitioners

Survivors of intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization often face persistent health challenges after discharge, collectively referred to as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). This condition affects physical, cognitive, and mental health, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life and increa...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Charikleia S. Vrettou, Athina G. Mantelou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Diseases
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/6/183
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849472437155004416
author Charikleia S. Vrettou
Athina G. Mantelou
author_facet Charikleia S. Vrettou
Athina G. Mantelou
author_sort Charikleia S. Vrettou
collection DOAJ
description Survivors of intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization often face persistent health challenges after discharge, collectively referred to as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). This condition affects physical, cognitive, and mental health, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life and increasing their healthcare utilization. Additionally, caregivers may develop PICS-F (PICS family), experiencing stress-related health burdens. Despite the growing awareness of these issues, structured post-ICU follow-up remains inconsistent, leaving a gap in care that general practitioners (GPs) must often fill. This review examines the role of GPs in managing post-ICU patients, outlining common complications, screening tools, rehabilitation strategies, and potential areas for improved collaboration between primary care and ICU teams. Emphasizing a multidisciplinary and proactive approach, we propose practical interventions that GPs can adopt to enhance long-term recovery outcomes for ICU survivors.
format Article
id doaj-art-d0c483ad718c4519a44035d444c50e2e
institution Kabale University
issn 2079-9721
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Diseases
spelling doaj-art-d0c483ad718c4519a44035d444c50e2e2025-08-20T03:24:32ZengMDPI AGDiseases2079-97212025-06-0113618310.3390/diseases13060183Supporting Post-ICU Recovery: A Narrative Review for General PractitionersCharikleia S. Vrettou0Athina G. Mantelou1First Department of Critical Care Medicine & Pulmonary Services, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Evangelismos” Hospital, 106 76 Athens, GreeceFirst Department of Critical Care Medicine & Pulmonary Services, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Evangelismos” Hospital, 106 76 Athens, GreeceSurvivors of intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization often face persistent health challenges after discharge, collectively referred to as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). This condition affects physical, cognitive, and mental health, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life and increasing their healthcare utilization. Additionally, caregivers may develop PICS-F (PICS family), experiencing stress-related health burdens. Despite the growing awareness of these issues, structured post-ICU follow-up remains inconsistent, leaving a gap in care that general practitioners (GPs) must often fill. This review examines the role of GPs in managing post-ICU patients, outlining common complications, screening tools, rehabilitation strategies, and potential areas for improved collaboration between primary care and ICU teams. Emphasizing a multidisciplinary and proactive approach, we propose practical interventions that GPs can adopt to enhance long-term recovery outcomes for ICU survivors.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/6/183post-ICU syndromegeneral practitionersrehabilitationcritical illness
spellingShingle Charikleia S. Vrettou
Athina G. Mantelou
Supporting Post-ICU Recovery: A Narrative Review for General Practitioners
Diseases
post-ICU syndrome
general practitioners
rehabilitation
critical illness
title Supporting Post-ICU Recovery: A Narrative Review for General Practitioners
title_full Supporting Post-ICU Recovery: A Narrative Review for General Practitioners
title_fullStr Supporting Post-ICU Recovery: A Narrative Review for General Practitioners
title_full_unstemmed Supporting Post-ICU Recovery: A Narrative Review for General Practitioners
title_short Supporting Post-ICU Recovery: A Narrative Review for General Practitioners
title_sort supporting post icu recovery a narrative review for general practitioners
topic post-ICU syndrome
general practitioners
rehabilitation
critical illness
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/6/183
work_keys_str_mv AT charikleiasvrettou supportingposticurecoveryanarrativereviewforgeneralpractitioners
AT athinagmantelou supportingposticurecoveryanarrativereviewforgeneralpractitioners