Multidimensional Factors Influencing the Implementation of Early Mobilization in Critically Ill Patients From Healthcare Providers' Perspectives: A Systematic Review.
Xiaoyan Gong, Weijing Sui, Xiangping Chen et al.
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In 30 seconds
This qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis examined ICU healthcare providers’ experiences and perspectives on implementing early mobilization. It included 34 studies from 13 countries, involving 699 providers. Four themes described intervention characteristics, the ICU’s organizational setting, interprofessional roles and determinants of implementation. The synthesis frames early mobilization as a multidimensional implementation process, with sustainable delivery shaped by organizational readiness, role clarity, patient engagement and practical processes such as planning, monitoring, debriefing and feedback.
Key findings
- The meta-synthesis included 34 studies from 13 countries and 699 ICU healthcare providers.
- Four themes covered intervention characteristics, organizational context, interprofessional roles and determinants of successful implementation.
- Providers’ perspectives highlighted planning, real-time monitoring, debriefing and feedback as process-level strategies supporting implementation.
Why it matters
Early mobilization involves more than delivering a rehabilitation activity; it depends on how teams and organizations support its routine delivery. Understanding these implementation factors can help explain why practice may vary across ICU settings and inform context-sensitive approaches that address organizational support, collaboration, provider capacity and patient engagement.
What to keep in mind
The review synthesizes qualitative studies and provider perspectives; it does not establish the effectiveness of specific implementation strategies or report patient outcomes.