Psychosocial care in intensive care units : impact on trauma and wellbeing

Abstract

Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are isolated areas of hospitals meant for providing focused care to patients critically ill or convalescing from surgery. Patients here need close monitoring and intervention. Such isolation, while necessary to protect the patients from infection and complications may create distress and trauma. This can be minimized with biopsychosocial approach in ICU treatment. The present study investigates the impact of Psychosocial Care on ICU Trauma and Wellbeing of patients convalescing in ICU after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft. The study involved a combination of a correlation design and a between subject design with unrelated samples. A multistage sampling method was used. The sample consisted of hospitals and 250 post-operative CABG patients. The study measured the ICU Quality, Psychosocial Care received by the patients, their Trauma and Hospital Wellbeing. The results indicated that Psychosocial Care was a major predictor of ICU Trauma and Hospital Wellbeing. The results revealed significant differences among hospitals in Quality of ICU and Psychosocial Care. The findings indicated that patients treated in High ICU Quality, received higher Psychosocial Care experienced lower levels of ICU Trauma and higher Wellbeing, than patients treated in a Low ICU Quality. The study suggests a biopsychosocial approach in treatment and care of ICU patients. The implications and limitations of the study are disc