Grant: Operating Grant

Patients who suffer from critical illness experience a range of new problems after their ICU stay - in particular weakness and limitations in physical function. This is related in part to immobility at the time of illness. Research to date has shown that rehabilitation initiated after critical illness is not effective in improving physical function. However, rehabilitation initiated in the intensive care unit, while the patient is undergoing mechanical ventilation is safe and feasible. Furthermore, patients who are engaged in an active rehabilitation protocol while critically ill have better physical function at hospital discharge and less delirium during their ICU stay. Despite this knowledge, implementation of early rehabilitation protocols has not been universal. Health care professionals of different disciplines play a key role in the day-to-day rehabilitation of ICU patients. Our study will use a mix of interview and survey techniques to understand the barriers to rehabilitation in patients on life support, as perceived by physical and occupational therapists, nurses, respiratory therapists and physicians. Our research findings will have direct implications for the design of an intervention intended to improve early rehabilitation in the ICU and by extension, the long-term outcomes of our patients.