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Family members’ lived experiences of everyday life after intensive care treatment of a loved one: a phenomenological hermeneutical study

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  • Gro Frivold
  • Åshild Slettebø
  • Bjørg Dale

Abstract

Aims and Objectives To illuminate relatives’ experiences of everyday life after a loved one's stay in an intensive care unit. Background Relatives of intensive care patients experience considerable stress that can have a long‐lasting effect on their everyday lives. Relatives frequently report anxiety, depression and complicated grief as a result of their experiences in the intensive care unit. Design A qualitative design was chosen. Methods Thirteen relatives were interviewed 3 months to 1 year after the discharge or death of an intensive care unit patient. A phenomenological hermeneutical method was used to explore family members’ lived experiences upon returning home after their loved ones’ stay in the intensive care unit. Results Two themes emerged from the analysis of the data: (1) changes in everyday life and emotional reactions, and (2) managing changes and need of support and follow‐up from the ICU. Conclusions Family members experience changes in emotions, roles and responsibilities after returning home. They must maintain control of themselves and adapt to the changes to face the future. They cope by using their personal resources and support from others. Some are in further need of follow‐up from the intensive care unit staff. Relevance to clinical practice Nursing education could focus increasingly more on the significance of communication and personal support, which helps family members cope during patients’ stay and experience a sense of personal strength when returning home. Further research should address how to identify and support those with special needs after the intensive care unit stay.

Suggested Citation

  • Gro Frivold & Åshild Slettebø & Bjørg Dale, 2016. "Family members’ lived experiences of everyday life after intensive care treatment of a loved one: a phenomenological hermeneutical study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(3-4), pages 392-402, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:25:y:2016:i:3-4:p:392-402
    DOI: 10.1111/jocn.13059
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    Cited by:

    1. Anne Mette Nygaard & Hege Selnes Haugdahl & Berit Støre Brinchmann & Ranveig Lind, 2020. "Information concerning ICU patients’ families in the handover—The clinicians’ «game of whispers»: A qualitative study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(19-20), pages 3822-3834, October.
    2. Gunilla Hollman Frisman & Ingrid Wåhlin & Lotti Orvelius & Susanna Ågren, 2018. "Health‐promoting conversations—A novel approach to families experiencing critical illness in the ICU environment," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(3-4), pages 631-639, February.
    3. Jonas Karlsson & Thomas Eriksson & Berit Lindahl & Isabell Fridh, 2020. "Family members' lived experiences when a loved one undergoes an interhospital intensive care unit‐to‐unit transfer: A phenomenological hermeneutical study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(19-20), pages 3721-3730, October.

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