Funding outcome

Background: Gender is becoming an important factor in the outcomes of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Critically ill patients can experience psychological distress, which can lead to organ failure and other health issues. Women tend to have higher levels of psychological distress in the ICU than men, including increased risks of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, as well as worse health outcomes after leaving the ICU. We don't yet fully understand what contributes to this distress or how women manage their stress, especially when considering both gender and ethnicity. Purpose/Objectives: We aim to highlight the experiences of critically ill women using an intersectional approach. Aim 1: To give women a platform to share their experiences of ICU stress and provide recommendations on how to assess and manage it. Aim 2: To create a strategy for assessing and managing ICU stress based on women's perspectives. Methods: We'll use a participatory action research (PAR) approach, working with women and relevant stakeholders. We'll recruit women ICU survivors from diverse backgrounds. Data will be gathered through interviews and focus groups. We'll explore women's experiences of ICU stress and their views on how to alleviate it. These insights will be discussed in focus groups with women, families, and clinicians to develop tailored recommendations for women in the ICU. Using nominal group and Delphi techniques, we'll aim for consensus on the strategy and how to evaluate and implement it. Expected Outcomes: For the first time, we will explore the views of critically ill women and co-create new stress management recommendations based on their experiences. Our findings will guide future studies and trials.