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August 16, 2026Clinical Psychologist

ICU survivors face significant post-discharge psychological challenges including persistent isolation and limited mental health access.

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Why the study?

The transition from the intensive care unit to home is marked by psychological challenges like anxiety, depression, and PTSD, prompting a systematic effort to identify and categorize these post-discharge issues.

What are the psychological challenges faced by adult ICU survivors post-discharge?

Design

Scoping review following Arksey and O'Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR checklist

Follow-up

Within six months post-discharge

Key result

A scoping review of 14 studies revealed that ICU survivors face significant psychological challenges post-discharge, including limited access to mental health services and persistent isolation.

Authors

MQMohammed QutishatMAMohammed S. Al‐BalushiLSLoai Abu Sharour

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Overview

Psychological screening may warrant consideration after ICU discharge; leaves open optimal interventions for anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Key Points

  • Systematically identify and categorize the psychological challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, experienced by patients following discharge from the intensive care unit.
  • Conducted a scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines across nine databases from 2010 to 2025.
  • Included 14 studies focused on adult intensive care unit survivors seeking psychological support within six months of hospital discharge.
  • Identified significant psychological recovery barriers spanning organizational, familial, and patient-specific domains.
  • Demonstrated persistent feelings of social isolation, altered family dynamics, and restricted access to mental health services among post-discharge survivors.

Structured PICO

What are the psychological challenges faced by adult ICU survivors post-discharge?

P
Population
A scoping review of 14 studies assessing the psychological challenges faced by adult ICU survivors who sought psychological support within six months post-discharge.
O
Outcome
Psychological challenges faced by ICU survivors post-discharge

ICU survivors face significant psychological challenges post-discharge, highlighting the need for integrated mental health support and standardized follow-up protocols.

Cite This Study

Qutishat et al. (2026) conducted a review in Psychological challenges post-ICU discharge (n=14). ICU survival was evaluated on Psychological challenges in organizational, familial, and patient-specific domains. A scoping review of 14 studies revealed that ICU survivors face significant psychological challenges post-discharge, including limited access to mental health services and persistent isolation.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a817980f2fb91fc834aca8dhttps://doi.org/10.1080/13284207.2026.2701913
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