ICUs have historically focused on survival as the single most important outcome of critical illness. Recent research has shown that most patient who survive their ICU stay develop a combination of cognitive impairment; emotional problems, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder; physical weakness; and significant social and financial hardships. Together, this constellation of symptoms has been termed post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). The physical, psychological, and financial burden of caring for patients with PICS has common and predictable effects, including anxiety and depression, on family members of ICU survivors. These effects have been termed PICS-F, for the PICS effect on families.

As understanding has improved of the impact that PICS and PICS-F have on quality of life, critical care providers have started to open specialized clinics to provide and coordinate care for ICU survivors and their families. These clinics are composed of an interdisciplinary team of professionals, including critical care and mental health physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and social workers. Their ultimate goal is to improve patients’ quality of life, ease caregiver burden on families, and work to restore patients to their prior level of functioning.