Joint Paediatric and Psychiatric Follow-Up for Families following Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Admission: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Psychopathology in parents and children is increased after Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admission; few studies have evaluated interventions to reduce this. Objective . Evaluation of the feasibility of setting up a joint paediatric and psychiatric follow-up clinic for families after PICU discharge. Design . Feasibility study offering joint follow-up with a consultant paediatric intensivist and child and adolescent psychiatrist. Setting . Paediatric outpatient clinic in a university teaching hospital with a PICU. Patients . Children and their families discharged from PICU. Interventions . Outpatient appointment focussing on physical and psychological health; psychoeducation about emotional and behavioural difficulties occurring after PICU discharge, advice for parents about supporting their child’s psychological recovery, screening for more severe psychiatric disorders, and provision of a leaflet outlining possible difficulties and management strategies. Measurements . Attendance, content of discussion, psychiatric questionnaires, and family feedback. Main Results . It proved feasible to set up follow-up appointments to address physical and psychological health concerns; 4/12(33%) eligible families attended. Children and mothers who attended all reported child difficulties including sleep disturbance, increased anxiety, and PTSD symptoms in children and parents. Conclusions . Follow-up clinics after PICU discharge are feasible to set up; take-up is poor but families attending report psychopathology which may be addressed through the intervention.