Rehabilitation in the cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit (CVICU) is becoming a more recognized essential need, with a patient population that is older, sicker and more complex than ever before. Little research has been conducted on occupational and physical therapy staffing models in the CVICU, how they are experienced by staff, or the possible benefits and challenges of different approaches. This pilot qualitative study explored the lived experiences of occupational and physical therapists working in an embedded CVICU rehabilitation team in a large level academic and teaching hospital.
