A Qualitative Exploration of Barriers and Facilitators Influencing Nutritional Recovery in Survivors of Critical Illness After Hospital Discharge

INTRODUCTION: After hospital discharge, survivors of critical illness often struggle to meet their nutritional needs, which can impair long-term recovery and quality of life. However, the factors influencing nutritional recovery in the early post-discharge period remain poorly understood. This qualitative study aimed to identify and describe the barriers and facilitators influencing nutritional recovery among critical illness survivors after hospital discharge. METHODS: A qualitative health research approach was adopted using qualitative description. A convenience sample of 15 adult critical illness survivors were recruited from medical, surgical, and cardiac intensive care units (ICUs) in New York City from August 2024 to April 2025. Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually 3 months after hospital discharge. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis. RESULTS: Reported barriers to nutritional recovery included individual-level factors (physiological, functional, and psychological) and systems-level challenges (gaps in nutrition care continuity and inadequate healthcare team communication and support). Facilitators included family support, accessible nutrition services, multidisciplinary healthcare team involvement, and improvements in recovery over time. Patients consistently expressed a desire for regular post-discharge nutrition follow-up and individualized nutrition education tailored to post-ICU recovery. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these findings revealed that survivors of critical illness encounter numerous barriers to nutritional recovery after hospital discharge, but support from family, dietitians, and healthcare teams can help overcome these challenges. Continuity of dietitian-led care and tailored nutrition education may address unmet needs and improve the nutritional recovery experience of critical illness survivors.