1. SAUD KHALID AL-SAMDANI - MBBS, Senior Registrar/Adult Critical Care Medicine, King Faisal Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Cardiac Critical Care Medicine Fellow, King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
2. AHMED AL-OHALI - MD, King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
3. MOHAMMED ALGAMDI - MD, King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
4. RABEA ALZUBAIDY - MBBS, King Faisal Hospital, Makkah Healthcare Cluster, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
5. AHMED AL-GHAMDI - MBBS, King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
6. HAYTHAM NASURALDEN - MBBS, King Faisal Hospital, Makkah Healthcare Cluster, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
7. MOHAMMED HAZZAZI - MBBS, Diriyah Hospital, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
8. SULTAN AL-NEFAIE - MBBS, King Faisal Hospital, Makkah Healthcare Cluster, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Background: post-intensive Care Syndrome-Family (PICS-F) refers to the psychological, social, and functional complications experienced by families of ICU patients after discharge. Globally, 30–50% of families develop anxiety or depression, and 20–40% experience post-traumatic stress, yet PICS-F remains under-researched in Saudi Arabia. Objective: This paper aims to determine the obstacles that PICS-F presents in the Saudi context and to recommend policies for trauma-informed and family centered critical care. Methodology: A narrative literature review and policy analysis were conducted using international and regional research published between 2013 and 2025. Sources examined included studies on ICU family experiences, PICS-F prevalence, and Saudi or GCC healthcare policies. Findings: Results indicated a considerable degree of misunderstanding, the absence of mental health interventions in ICU routines, inadequate family involvement, and the lack of uniform support plans for caregivers. Conclusion: The paper proposes culturally sensitive interventions such as flexible visitation policies, structured family meetings, post-ICU multidisciplinary clinics, and the development of national guidelines to reduce policy-practice gaps and enhance family well-being. Addressing PICS F in Saudi Arabia supports families in coping with prolonged emotional and psychological stress and aligns with Vision 2030 healthcare transformation goals by embracing a humane and trauma informed approach to critical care.
Post-Intensive Care Syndrome–Family (PICS-F); ICU Family Care; Trauma-Informed Care; Saudi Arabia; Critical Care Outcomes; Family-Centered ICU.