Objective:

We explore the current opinion landscape of post-neuro Intensive Care Unit (ICU) clinics.

Background:

Post-ICU clinics following admission to medical ICUs have become common in recent decades, with a body of literature studying long-term impacts on critical illness survivors. There is growing interest in this form of care delivery for the neurocritical care population, but to date there are limited data on existing practice.

Design/Methods:

Our survey was developed using iterative development amongst authors. This was sent to four other experts in post-neuroICU recovery for initial responses and evaluation. The survey was distributed as a pilot at the Neurocritical Care Society Annual Conference in August 2023 via QR code.

Results:

Sixty-three participants, with an average of 5.24 years of clinical practice (Range 0-18) completed the survey. Respondents were 38% (N=22) Attending Physicians, 29% (N=17) Advanced Practice Practitioners, 14% (N=8) Fellows, and 19% (N=11) Other. Eighty-eight percent of respondents practice at an Academic/Tertiary Hospital. Nearly half (46.4%) reported that they had a post-neuroICU clinic at their institutions, representing at least 10 different locations. Participants rated identification of gaps in care to continued recovery, follow-up of actual vs expected outcome, and recognition of challenges faced by family in the ICU as the most important benefits to them as clinicians and is reflected by the primary purpose for which they have been designed.

Conclusions:

Nearly half of respondents have familiarity with a post-neuroICU clinic at their institution. Identifying care gaps was identified as an important benefit of this type of care delivery, and this was matched by those who deliver this care by identifying a primary purpose of their clinic as re-engagement with the healthcare system. Additional insight into clinicians’ reasons to participate or not in these post-ICU neurorecovery clinics is needed to improve adoption of this type of care model.