ABSTRACT
Dramatic changes in the lives of patients as well as in their families’ lives occur after being treated in an intensive care unit (ICU). Increasing the survival rate is the main objective of the ICU but recent research has found that 50% of the people who survive a critical illness are discharged with some level of disability, which not only has a direct impact on their functional incomes but also on their perception of quality of life.
Cognitive, behavioral, and emotional symptoms are common in ICU patients regardless of the brain injury. Up to 80% of patients can show cognitive problems, such as memory impairment, lack of concentration, or sleep problems up to 1 year post ICU discharge. People who have experienced a violent trauma often suffer similar symptoms to Post-traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD)
The identification of these symtoms may lead to more effective treatment and, therefore, hope for a better outcome.
Validated questionnaires conducted by medical professionals as well as self-reports have proven useful for the screening of those symptoms.
Additionally, a good communication technique is very important during the clinical encounter to enhance the therapeutic alliance. The last part of the chapter is focused on interventions for psychological care.
