Background: Early mobilisation can help support the physical recovery of critically ill patients, and family members can help to achieve early mobilisation goals. However, adopting family engagement in early mobilisation is challenging and requires the willingness of family members, support from healthcare professionals and a culture that promotes this practice. However, it is uncommon for family members to actively engage in early mobilisation activities and there is limited information available to help us fully understand the factors that influence family engagement in this area. Because family engagement in early mobilisation relies on healthcare professionals facilitating engagement and family members being willing to partner with healthcare professionals in early mobilisation activities, it is important to understand this practice from these two perspectives. Understanding factors that may support or hinder family engagement in early mobilisation is important and helps to inform future implementation of this approach in the context of critical illness.

Aims: The overall aim of this study was to identify factors that may influence family engagement in early mobilisation of critically ill adult patients. [...]