Patients’ experiences after intensiv care

Background: Nowadays people more often are surviving intensive care, which makes it important to increase the knowledge about the experiences. Illusions, nightmares and unreal experiences are common and often linger for quite some time. Aim: The aim of the study was to illuminate patients' experiences after intensive care. Method: A literature-based study of 16 qualitative studies was conducted Results: A lot of the patients have difficulties moving on, and are haunted by their experience. Memories from the hospital stay are often hazy, and evokes a sense of lacking a part of their life story. There is a need to understand in order to move on. Despite of this, some of the patients manage to find happiness. They find a new meaning in life, and learn to look at things from a brighter side. Conclusion: To process the experience, there seems to be a need of further support. Also, patients need to receive more information about what to expect after discharge