Title: Experiences of a follow-up visit to an ICU
Author: (Please provide names; underline presenting author) Engström Åsa, Andersson Staffan, Söderberg Siv
Contact details: (Please give full postal address, email, telephone and fax of presenting author) Åsa Engström
Department of Health Science Luleå University of Technology SE-971 87 Luleå
Sweden
Fax+46 920 49 38 50 asa.engstrom@ltu.se
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Abstract: Not more than 300 words.
For research papers use the headings:Aim, methods, results, conclusion. For other forms of presentation use: Background, aims, results and implications) Abstract:
Aim: To describe how people, who have been critically ill, and their close relatives, experience a post-discharge, follow-up visit to an ICU.
Method: The study design is qualitative, 18 adults participated; nine had been critically ill and nine were close relatives, all made a post-discharge follow-up visit to an ICU in the northern part of Sweden. The study data was collected through personal interviews, conducted after the follow-up visit, and then the data was subjected to qualitative thematic content analysis.
Results: The analysis resulted in four themes: receiving strength from returning together; making sense of the critical-illness experience; feeling grateful to have survived and the possibility of improving the care. People who had been critically ill and close relatives felt that returning together was valuable. Meeting the staff, with whom participants felt they had
developed a relationship, made it possible for them to express their gratitude for the treatment and nursing care received, and to suggest improvements.
Conclusion: Research has previously suggested that post-discharge follow-up visits to ICUs are valuable for people who have been critically ill as they help them to understand what has
happened and to talk about their memories of their stay in the ICU. This study agrees with earlier findings; it also shows the value of a diary for filling in memory gaps and comprehending ones’ significance. People who had been critically ill appreciated being able to return to the ICU together with close relatives as it felt safer. The follow-up visit offers them the possibility to talk about their experiences. It is important to meet the ICU staff again, especially those who were most involved in the nursing and treatment of the ill person. This gives an opportunity to express one’s gratitude for their work, but also one’s opinions about the care provided.
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