Objective To understand the knowledge and practice of full-cycle rehabilitation of heat stroke among intensive care unit （ICU） medical staff, reveal their confusion, challenges, and needs at work, and provide theoretical support for optimizing clinical management and rehabilitation services of patients with heat stroke. Methods Using the phenomenological research method, a semi-structured interview was conducted with 15 medical staff in the Emergency Medicine Department from June to August 2024. The data were analyzed with Colaizzi seven procedural steps and the theme was revealed. Results The ICU medical staff had cognitive differences in the full-cycle rehabilitation of heat stroke, especially in the timing of rehabilitation, and attached great importance to psychological support. The respondents had significant individual differences in their understanding of heat stroke rehabilitation strategies, hold different views on when to start rehabilitation, and generally agreed with the core position of psychological support in patients' rehabilitation process. Conclusion The study findings emphasize the practical problems and needs of the full-cycle rehabilitation of heat stroke based on the perspective of ICU medical staff, which has important theoretical and practical significance for improving the overall rehabilitation effect of patients. These findings contribute to improved prognosis and quality of life in patients with heat stroke and provide key insights into improved clinical practice and improved quality of rehabilitation services.