Patients' and relatives' experiences of post-ICU everyday life: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background: As advancements in intensive care treatment have resulted in decreased mortality rates, more attention has been given to the experience of life after critical illness. Despite an increase in literature describing the physical, psychological, and cognitive health problems arising after critical illness, there is a shortage of research exploring the lifeworld of patients and relatives, including its internal and external interplay in everyday life. Addressing this is essential for gaining insights into the experience of everyday life and recovery after critical illness.

Aims and objectives: To explore patients' and relatives' experiences of everyday life after critical illness.

Design: Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 7 relatives and 12 patients. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim.

Methods: Drawing on the phenomenological-hermeneutic tradition, data were analysed using Ricoeur's theory of interpretation, as described by Dreyer and Pedersen.

Findings: The lifeworld of everyday life was disclosed in the theme "Finding oneself after critical illness," described as an overall comprehensive understanding. This theme was divided into the subthemes (a) redefining the self, (b) reintegrating with family, and (c) resuming everyday life, which followed the trajectory of the three phases: the known past, the uncertain present, and the unknown future.

Conclusion: Critical illness and physical, psychological, and cognitive health problems create new and emerging difficulties in patients' and relatives' experiences of everyday life after intensive care. These experiences affect their understanding of themselves, their families, and their ability to resume pre-intensive care unit everyday life.

Implications for practice: The study underlines the need to supplement the affirmed domains in post-intensive care syndrome with a social domain to enhance family-centred care within the intensive care unit and across sectoral borders. Additionally, it highlights the need to develop rehabilitation strategies aimed at patients' and relatives' multifactorial health problems.

Keywords: family care in critical care; family-centred care; intensive care; qualitative research; semi-structured interviews.