A qualitative study of long-term ICU patients` inner strength and will-power: Family and health professionals as a health promoting resource

Abstract

Aims and objectives. To explore how the presence of family and health professionals influence long-term critically ill patient's will-power as an incitement to keep fighting for recovery. Background. This study reports long-term critically ill patients` experiences of family and health professionals as health-promoting resources in terms of significance for their inner strength and will-power. Earlier research on this topic is scarce. Design. A qualitative, hermeneutic-phenomenological approach, within the context of salutogenic theory. Methods. Seventeen long-term critically ill patients were interviewed once, at six to 18 months after ICU discharge. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) was used (Supplementary File 1). Results. Four main themes identified how family and staff promoted and challenged the inner strength and will-power: (1) The importance of family and friends; my family was surrounding me, (2) Staff contributions, (3) Challenges to inner strength and will-power in relation to family and (4) Loneliness and indifferent care. Conclusion. This study brings new knowledge from the long-term critically ill patient`s view about the impact of family, friends and nurses on the patient`s inner strength and will-power. All impact is experienced positively as well as negatively. Key words. Advanced nursing, Critical care, Family, Health promotion, ICU nurses, Intensive care, Long-term critically ill patients, Phenomenology, Qualitative study, Will-power Relevance to clinical practice. Knowledge from the long-term critically ill patient`s view is vital in nurse-patient interactions to facilitate liberation of inner strength and will-power.