Experiences of inner strength in critically ill patients--a hermeneutical approach.
Becoming critically ill and in need of ventilator treatment is a considerable burden. Fear and anxiety are natural reactions and it is not uncommon for patients to experience hopelessness, withdrawal and depression. In situations like these the possession of inner strength can be of vital importance.


OBJECTIVE
To gain knowledge on what factors contribute to inner strength in critically ill patients cared for in an intensive care unit. The depth interviews were conducted with six former ventilator-treated patients aged 60-72years.


METHODS
The informants were recruited through the ICU at an urban hospital in Norway.


METHODS
The study has an exploratory and descriptive design. A hermeneutic approach was used to interpret the data, in which Kvale's self-perception, critical common sense and theoretical levels were applied.


RESULTS
The study clearly demonstrates that there are certain factors that promote the inner strength of patients undergoing ventilator treatment. These are: "To have the support of next of kin", "The wish to go on living", "To be seen" and "Signs of progress". Amongst these patients it appears that the presence of one's next of kin has prime significance in promoting inner strength.
Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Sognsvannsveien 20, 0027 Oslo, Norway. lisemal@hotmail.com
Lise-Merete
LM
Alpers
Sølvi
S
Helseth
Ingegerd
I
Bergbom
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011209:Power, Psychological; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires