The experiences of ICU patients during follow-up sessions--a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
Evidence supports the recommendation for follow-up session(s) for patients after discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of these follow-up sessions is to allow patients to express and discuss their experiences and problems following their time in an ICU. To optimise the knowledge gained from the follow-up session experience, it is necessary to describe how patients experience these sessions. The aim of this study was to describe how ICU-patients, experience a follow-up session.


METHODS
This study adopted a qualitative design utilising semi-structured interviews, and which examined the experiences of seven men and five women. Qualitative content analysis was utilised.


RESULTS
The participants stated that the information gained from these sessions, which had previously seemed unclear to some of them, was, on the whole, now clarified and confirmed. A discernible difference was found between participants who were cared for on a general ward and those who were cared for on a rehabilitation ward and also were offered a meeting with a counsellor, following discharge their from the ICU. The findings also indicated that participants who were not offered psychosocial support showed a greater need for a follow-up session.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has highlighted the need for increasing collaboration between intensive care staff and staff in other units to provide support to this patient group in order to reduce their suffering post intensive care experience.
School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Box 1026, SE-551 11 Jönköping, Sweden. Electronic address: Lena.Haraldsson@hhj.hj.se.
Lena
L
Haraldsson
School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Box 1026, SE-551 11 Jönköping, Sweden. Electronic address: Lennart.Christensson@hhj.hj.se.
Lennart
L
Christensson
School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Box 1026, SE-551 11 Jönköping, Sweden.
Lisa
L
Conlon
School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Box 1026, SE-551 11 Jönköping, Sweden. Electronic address: Maria.Henricson@hhj.hj.se.
Maria
M
Henricson
D000359:Aftercare; D003422:Critical Care / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research
Content analysis; Follow-up; Intensive care; Memories