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Interventions are made in the intensive care unit (ICU) to stabilise the patient’s condition in a life-threatening situation. Unfortunately, hospitalisation in this unit – often prolonged – can lead to sequelae that limit and hinder the patient’s ability to temporarily or permanently function in a number of activities, referred to as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Medical developments point to the possibility and necessity of interventions aimed at prevention, early recognition, and treatment of this syndrome. The presented paper is aimed at introducing the essence of PICS prevention, treatment, and intervention. The available literature presents possible and necessary interventions to prevent and treat this syndrome based on the use of standardised tools to assess the patient’s condition, implement procedures, standards of management, and evaluation of individual therapeutic plans.

Patient hospitalisation in an intensive care unit (ICU) as a result of critical illness may cause deficits and illness in physical, mental, and cognitive dimensions. Side effects referred to as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) most often include fatigue, weakness, pain sensation, depressive symptoms, anxiety disorders, PTSD, delirium, attention, and memory deficits. PICS contributes to the patient’s inability to return to work, reduced quality of life, and functional disability. The aim of this paper was to introduce selected issues concerning nature of the PICS phenomenon, based on an analysis of the available literature. Studies confirm the occurrence of PICS with varying degrees of severity and duration of symptoms, conditioned by sociodemographic variables and the patient’s health status. Given the long-term consequences of PICS, there is a need for further study in this area to understand the challenges facing the patient and to sensitise the treatment team on the need to evaluate the patient’s condition.

Narrative has found application in medicine and the art of healing. Its particular importance can be shown in the integrated care of patients with mental disorders, practiced by both physicians and nurses. The experience of mental illness resulting in a change of the patient’s lifestyle builds an extremely rich human story, heard in the patient’s narrative, which allows the patient to be perceived holistically. The resulting respect for the patients’ individuality and subjectivity in the narrative, emphasizing their functioning in various dimensions, showing empathy is essential in caring for people who, due to psychopathological symptoms, are unable to interpret and perceive reality on their own, express emotions, or take care of their basic needs. The aim of this paper is to present selected narrative issues in the integrated nursing care of a patient with diagnosed schizophrenia.

Narrative in medical practice is a way to explore the nature of the disease in the face of the patient’s uniqueness and individuality, regardless of the diagnosed disorder or disease. The narrative approach provides patients with a representation of their own story, a demonstration of interest on the part of their treatment team, and a positive relationship with the highest level of health care provision, always in relation to the patient’s current health and life situation. The use of narrative medicine is important in forming relationships with patients or when professional work becomes a source of burnout and lack of perceived satisfaction. Aim of the study was to present selected issues related to the practice of narrative in medical care, including the care of patients with mental disorders. Thirty-three selected original papers were thoroughly analysed. All works were written in the period 2011-2020 and could be characterized as demonstrative or research papers and case studies. Medline, PubMed, SAGE, and other databases were used. Literature analysis confirms the presence of narrative medicine, including in the field of psychiatry. Researchers emphasize the importance of narrative in creating relationships with patients, shaping both their activity and involvement, as well as with members of the therapeutic team. In practice, narrative involves professionals expressing empathy, using narrative techniques, and being accountable when interacting with patients who discover themselves. The importance of narrative in the care of patients with various disorders, including mental disorders, is significant in providing care that is consistent with patients’ expectations and needs.

Spirituality as an integral part of human life has a significant impact on the understanding of disease, reactions associated with it, and decisions made in the treatment process. Therefore, it is important for effective therapeutic and care management. Spiritual care consti-tutes an important element of holistic nursing care focused on the needs of patients with dementia in cooperation with the therapeutic team, and it prevents depersonalisation of the patients, taking into account their psychosocial needs. Progressive dementia affects human functioning in terms of basic everyday activities and the possibility of self-care. If the care is focused solely on satisfying the patient’s biological needs, it often becomes task-oriented care and depersonalises the patient’s individuality, whose psychosocial needs are not taken into account. The knowledge of spiritual aspects of the patient’s functioning allows these issues to be included in the care and treatment plan, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the therapeutic process. Spiritual care is a valuable and integral element of holistic care, emphasising the broader aspect of humanity, and the recognition of spiritual needs alongside physical, social, and emotional needs involves the commitment and cooperation of all care providers. The aim of this paper was to present selected issues of spiritual care provided to patients suffering from dementia disorders. Selected issues were presented on the basis of available literature analysis. The approach to the individual needs of patients emphasises the holistic dimension of care. Spiritual care should be provided by the therapeu-tic team at every stage of contact with the patient.