Clinical psychology in the intensive care unit - a conceptual framework

Psychological emergency situations in which family members or patients require immediate support are common at the intensive care unit. The management of these situations poses a challenge for the medical and care giving personnel. It should therefore be supplemented by well-structured, professional support from psychologists. The necessary framework for psychological work at the intensive care unit includes the close involvement of the psychologists in the team and standard procedures at the hospital ward as well as flexible availability. The work method is proactive and oriented towards the fundamentals of emergency psychology as well as the stabilising techniques of trauma therapy. The setting and content of the psychological support are adapted to the work context of intensive care and oriented towards the needs of the patients and their family members. The findings resulting from psychological work with patients and their family along with the non-party position of the psychologist in the team add to a constructive communication process among all parties involved. In the future, applicable and practice oriented outcomes of psychological work should be developed and take into consideration the special circumstances of intensive care, in order to arrive at a more precise definition of the content, goals and effects of our? work. Psychological support for critically-ill patients and their family members as defined in the WHO term "Palliative Care" should be an inherent part of a holistic therapy and care for all concerned.