The DFG study on post-traumatic stress after intensive medical care "PICTURE - PTSD after ICU Survival, Caring for Patients with Traumatic Stress Sequelae following Intensive Medical Care" began in 2018. It is being conducted at the LMU Klinikum Munich and Charité Berlin study sites. We are able to reach and involve patients and their GPs throughout Germany through telephone support and live online training for doctors. Both affected patients and GPs who would like to treat suitable patients better can contact us to take part in the study.

After being discharged from an intensive care unit, patients often develop psychological impairments. Post-traumatic stress symptoms can occur in every third to fifth patient. As these psychological stresses often go unrecognized and untreated, the PICTURE study is investigating how GPs can help their affected patients through structured diagnostics and adapted care. Care could be further improved with a new trauma-focused narrative therapy (NET) developed specifically for GP practices. In order to scientifically prove the effect of the newly developed NET intervention against the improved standard treatment, patients are randomly assigned to one of the two forms of treatment.