Lived Experiences Following Sepsis: Burden, Challenges, and Care Needs - A Qualitative Study
- 1University College Dublin School of Medicine
Abstract
BackgroundSepsis is a life-threatening medical condition caused by the bodys extreme response to an infection. It can have lasting physical, cognitive, psychological and social consequences that extend beyond the acute illness. However, limited research has explored how people with a history of sepsis and their families experience these longer-term consequences and engage with healthcare services in Ireland.
MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 21 participants, including 14 people who had personally experienced sepsis and seven family members of people affected by sepsis. Participants were recruited through professional networks and a sepsis charity organisation in Ireland. Interviews were conducted by telephone or Zoom between May and June 2026, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarkes reflexive thematic analysis.
ResultsFive themes were identified: (1) recovery - a prolonged journey of physical & cognitive rebuilding; (2) navigating a recovery journey: lack co-ordination and integration; (3) continuity of support was uneven and often depended on individual healthcare professionals; (4) recovery reshaped family roles, work and everyday life; and (5) participants suggested a more coordinated approach to recovery. Participants described persistent physical, cognitive and psychological difficulties, alongside substantial effects on family responsibilities, employment and everyday activities. While some participants experienced valuable support from individual healthcare professionals, many described fragmented services, limited information about recovery and uncertainty about where to seek ongoing support.
ConclusionIndividuals with a history of sepsis and their families described substantial and ongoing consequences and variable experiences of longer-term care. The findings highlight the need to better recognise and respond to longer-term health needs following sepsis and to develop coordinated, accessible approaches to ongoing support in Ireland.
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BibTeX
@misc{ravichandran2026lived,
title = {{Lived Experiences Following Sepsis: Burden, Challenges, and Care Needs - A Qualitative Study}},
author = {N. Ravichandran and D. Quinlan and J. Broughan and E. Hayes and S. Ghosh and P. Fitzpatrick and N. Clendennen and W. Cullen},
howpublished = {medRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.64898/2026.09.16.26363207},
url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.16.26363207v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Lived Experiences Following Sepsis: Burden, Challenges, and Care Needs - A Qualitative Study
AU - N. Ravichandran
AU - D. Quinlan
AU - J. Broughan
AU - E. Hayes
AU - S. Ghosh
AU - P. Fitzpatrick
AU - N. Clendennen
AU - W. Cullen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/16
PB - medRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.09.16.26363207
UR - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.16.26363207v1
AB - BackgroundSepsis is a life-threatening medical condition caused by the bodys extreme response to an infection. It can have lasting physical, cognitive, psychological and social consequences that extend beyond the acute illness. However, limited research has explored how people with a history of sepsis and their families experience these longer-term consequences and engage with healthcare services in Ireland. MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 21 participants, including 14 people who had personally experienced sepsis and seven family members of people affected by sepsis. Participants were recruited through professional networks and a sepsis charity organisation in Ireland. Interviews were conducted by telephone or Zoom between May and June 2026, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarkes reflexive thematic analysis. ResultsFive themes were identified: (1) recovery - a prolonged journey of physical & cognitive rebuilding; (2) navigating a recovery journey: lack co-ordination and integration; (3) continuity of support was uneven and often depended on individual healthcare professionals; (4) recovery reshaped family roles, work and everyday life; and (5) participants suggested a more coordinated approach to recovery. Participants described persistent physical, cognitive and psychological difficulties, alongside substantial effects on family responsibilities, employment and everyday activities. While some participants experienced valuable support from individual healthcare professionals, many described fragmented services, limited information about recovery and uncertainty about where to seek ongoing support. ConclusionIndividuals with a history of sepsis and their families described substantial and ongoing consequences and variable experiences of longer-term care. The findings highlight the need to better recognise and respond to longer-term health needs following sepsis and to develop coordinated, accessible approaches to ongoing support in Ireland.
ER -