Patienters upplevelser av patientdagbok från intensivvårdsavdelning
Aims: The aim of this study was to describe how patients that received a patient diary after their stay at an intensive care unit (ICU) had used the diary and if they found it useful for dealing with their stay in the ICU. The study also aimed to investigate if the patients felt a need for discussing their stay in the ICU and the diary with a registered nurse.Method: The study was performed as an interview study with explorative design. Six informants participated in the study. Recorded personal interviews were held with the informants. The recorded material was transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis on a manifest level.Results: This study shows that informants have used their diaries to establish a conception of what they have experienced during their stay in the ICU. The informants felt a need to discuss their stay in the ICU though this need could be filled by relatives.Conclusion: Informants have used their diaries for dealing with their ICU admission. The study also shows that the informants express a need for discussing ther stay in the ICU. The study shows that further research is needed.