J Korean Acad Nurs.  2007 Oct;37(6):924-931.

The Experiences of Patients in Intensive Care Units(ICU)

• Kim YH
• Koo MJ
• Kim SH
• Kim YM
• Lee NY
• Chang KO

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the essence of the experiences of patients in an ICU, and to understand them from the patients' point of view. METHODS: Participants in this study were six patients in P hospital. Data collection consisted of in-depth interviews and an observation method done from January to April in 2005. The method was analysis using the phenomenological method proposed by Colaizzi(1978). RESULTS: The themes were classified into eight theme clusters. The eight theme clusters were finally grouped into four categories, 'shock', 'pain', 'gratefulness' and 'pleasure of revival'. CONCLUSION: The ICU patients had negative experiences in physical.mental critical situations, but also positive experiences in consolation and nurses and families' encouragement. Therefore, ICU nurses must support patients and their families to minimize the negative experiences and maximize the positive experiences.

Keyword

Patients; Intensive care units; Qualitative research

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Attitude to Health
Critical Illness/psychology
Female
Humans
Inpatients/*psychology
*Intensive Care Units
Interviews as Topic
Male
Middle Aged
Nursing Methodology Research
Patient Transfer
Qualitative Research