Experiences of Family Members Participating in Early Rehabilitation of Cardiac Surgery ICU Patients: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: Family participation in early rehabilitation in the intensive care unit (ICU) is recommended to improve patient outcomes, but evidence regarding its implementation in cardiac surgery ICUs within a Chinese cultural context remains limited. AIM: To explore the experiences of family members involved in the early rehabilitation of cardiac surgery ICU patients and to provide a theoretical basis for optimising family participation models in ICU rehabilitation. STUDY DESIGN: From January to June 2025, 15 family members who participated in early rehabilitation care were purposively recruited from the cardiac surgery ICU of a tertiary hospital in Nanjing, China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analysed using descriptive qualitative methods. This study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. FINDINGS: Two primary themes emerged regarding the family members' experiences with early rehabilitation. Facilitators included a recognition of the necessity of involvement and perceived benefits, such as providing psychological support to patients and acquiring professional nursing knowledge. Barriers comprised concerns regarding potential patient harm, a desire for formal training and supervision and practical challenges that exceeded initial expectations. CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that whilst families demonstrate a willingness to participate in early rehabilitation, their involvement is hindered by safety concerns, inadequate preparation and operational challenges that exceed initial expectations. This study recommends a nurse-led, stepwise family participation model incorporating progressive training and multidisciplinary support to facilitate meaningful and safe family engagement in early rehabilitation within the cardiac surgery ICU. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study emphasises the necessity of a structured, nurse-led framework to guide family participation in early rehabilitation within the cardiac surgery ICU, offering a theoretical foundation for optimising family engagement models in critical care rehabilitation.