The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the vital issues in recovery of QOL from the perspective of survivors of critical illness and understand these patients' views on rehabilitative services in the United States (U.S.). The theoretical framework for this study is Max Weber's Rational Choice Theory (RCT). The research questions will focus on understanding post-ICU QOL and the patients' experience with rehabilitative services following critical illness. A phenomenological study design is being employed, using semi-structured individual interviews with critical illness survivors. Data from the interviews will be coded for thematic analysis. The implications for social change include defining the meaning of QOL for an ICU survivor and improving healthcare policies for the therapies necessary to return survivors to a life worth living.

The purpose of this qualitative study is to understand the patient perception of QOL after surviving critical illness and how survivors can help illuminate gaps in current health policies to provide better recovery resources for this growing population.

The central research questions are:

RQ1: What are the issues important to preserve quality of life from the perspective of critical illness survivors? RQ2: How do survivors of critical illness describe rehabilitative services after discharge?

Inclusion Criteria:

• critical illness survivors within 18 months of ICU discharge
• minimum 48 hours of mechanical ventilation
• ability to read and understand English
• over the age of 18

Exclusion Criteria:

• emotional or psychological inability to participate in a 30-min interview
• not meeting inclusion criteria

critical illness survivors