Post–intensive care syndrome–family (PICS-F) has been recognized for more than a decade in family caregivers of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. A significant risk factor for PICS-F is caregiver burden. Interventions have been developed to improve caregivers’ health outcomes, but the benefits have been inconsistent.

Moale and colleagues interviewed caregivers and health care providers and administrators to describe the diverse perspectives of each and the barriers and facilitators that affect care. They identified 4 themes:

  1. Instrumental needs: All participants recognized caregivers’ needs for support and education and having a role in care planning.

  2. Caregivers’ self-care: Only the caregivers themselves recognized their need for mental health support and care.

  3. Social determinants of health (SDOH) as key facilitators/barriers: Various SDOH affected caregivers’ abilities to care for themselves and their family.

  4. Caregiving is a SDOH: Caregiver burden and poor outcomes are intensified without a caregiver-centered infrastructure.

The authors recommend proactive identification of facilitators...

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