Patient preferences for receiving an early intervention after critical illness to improve psychological recovery

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) diary intervention: in addition to standard care participants will receive a narrative account of their clinical condition and progress prepared jointly by the ICU staff and family members throughout the patient’s ICU stay. The ICU diary will be retained by ICU staff when the participant is discharged to the ward and will be provided to the participant when she/he indicates readiness to receive the diary (between five days and three months after ICU discharge). The diary will be given to the patient in the form of a booklet containing narrative text from staff and family members. The patient will be made aware of the diary 5 days post ICU discharge or as soon after as possible when they are in the hospital wards. The diary will be checked for appropriateness prior to being given to the patient. The number of entries will be monitored (as this is a pilot study). Individualised care intervention: provision of an individualised summary of the ICU experience prepared by ICU staff and based on the User Centred Critical Care Discharge Information. The ICU experience summary will include the following information: reason for ICU admission, date of ICU admission, length of ICU stay, how the patient arrived to the ICU (by ambulance, transferred from another hospital, family member or friend brought them, etc.), discharge location (medical ward, surgical ward, home, etc.) and a summary of the important elements of the patient’s ICU journey such as the patient’s diagnosis, treatments and procedures. This summary will be given to the participant in hospital after consenting, and when each participant considers he or she is ready to receive the information. Each participant will be followed up with at least one telephone call 2 weeks post hospital discharge. The purpose of the telephone call is to discuss any problems that the patient may be experiencing and attempt to address these. The ICU Registered Nurse or Research Assistant (with training from psychologist) will perform the phone call. Additional strategies that will be available to the participant include a supported visit to ICU, discussion of challenges the participant is currently experiencing, psychological counselling and provision of detailed information outlining additional support options available. The information regarding the additional support options available will be provided as part of the telephone call and individualised written information.