ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
What measures have been used to explore the outcomes of family members of critically ill patients: a scoping review
Authors' conclusion
We identified 388 studies which reported the outcomes of family members of critically ill patients. Over 200 different outcomes measures were utilised, exploring conceptual domains such as quality of life as well as psychological and social outcomes. The majority of studies were observational in nature with variable follow-up timelines.
Study context
- Population
- Family members of critically ill patients; articles published 2000–2024 (Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science)
- Participants
- 388 family member cohorts
- Outcome
- Outcome measures used in family outcome research
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Outcome measures used
- Different outcome measures used
- 218
- Studies measuring emotional or psychological outcomes
- 345 (89%)
- Studies measuring family experience outcomes
- 85 (22%)
- Studies measuring general functional status, quality of life or well-being outcomes
- 65 (17%)
- Studies measuring environmental or social outcomes
- 35 (9%)
- Studies measuring cognitive outcomes
- 10 (3%)
Further findings
Study designs and setting
- RCTs
- 59 (15.2%)
- Observational cohorts
- 287 (74.0%)
- Quality improvement programmes
- 8 (2.1%)
- Non-randomised controlled interventional studies
- 34 (8.8%)
- Undertaken in USA, Canada and Europe
- n = 264, 67.5%
- 9873 abstracts reviewed
Original publication
What measures have been used to explore the outcomes of family members of critically ill patients: a scoping review. Intensive Care Med. Published 12 August 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →