An environmental scan of online resources for informal family caregivers of ICU survivors

Purpose: To collate a comprehensive repository of online resources for family caregivers of intensive care survivors to inform a recovery website and digital peer support programme. Materials and methods: To identify resources, we conducted an environmental scan using processes recommended by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health and guided by clinical experts, former patients, and family members. We searched internet sources, professional society websites, social media, and contacted our professional networks. Results: Through expert consultation we identified 16 information categories and found 301 online resources. Five categories with the most resources were: how to look after yourself/recognise anxiety or post-traumatic stress/getting mental health support (n = 63); information specific to conditions necessitating ICU admission (n = 49); multiple category resources (n = 46); symptoms of post-intensive care syndrome (n = 44); stories of lived experience (n = 23). Five categories with the least resources were physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms of post-intensive care syndrome-family (n = 1); interacting with primary care (n = 2); medical deterioration (how to recognise/what to do) (n = 2); driving and accessing the community (n = 3); end-of-life and bereavement (n = 5). Of these resources, we included 45 on our recovery website. Conclusion: This environmental scan identifies multiple resources addressing informational needs of family caregivers and highlights areas for resource development.