Shaping intensive care follow-up clinics: A qualitative study of professionals’ experiences and digital integration

BACKGROUND: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) follow-up services are recognised as essential for addressing the long-term physical, cognitive, and psychological consequences of critical illness. OBJECTIVE: To explore ICU professionals' experiences, perceived value, and challenges in organising and advancing ICU follow-up clinics, with particular attention to the emerging role of digital components in follow-up care. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted in four ICUs from February 2023 to July 2023. Semi-structured interviews were held with thirteen ICU nurses and three intensivists involved in ICU follow-up clinics. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed to identify key patterns and shared perspectives. FINDINGS: Three overarching themes with nine subthemes were identified: 1) Advancing ICU follow-up practices: nurses demonstrated growing autonomy and initiative in developing follow-up services, though the absence of formal recognition and training limited the consolidation of this role; 2) Interdisciplinary team work: ICU-nurses collaborated closely with physicians and other professionals in providing follow-up services, balancing medical, emotional, and social aspects of care within locally defined structures and; 3) ICU follow-up services in a digital world: while ICU-professionals recognised the potential of digital platforms to improve accessibility, they emphasised the need to preserve personal interaction and professional support for meaningful engagement. CONCLUSION: ICU-nurses play a central role in supporting patients and families after critical illness. Their growing autonomy and initiative strengthen continuity of care, yet limited formal recognition and structured training hinder the further development of this evolving role. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Formalising an autonomous nursing role in leading ICU follow-up clinics through dedicated training, clear responsibilities, and institutional support could enhance care quality and consistency. Combining digital tools with personal interaction may improve accessibility while maintaining the human connection essential to effective ICU follow-up services.