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"Never in my mind to give up!" A qualitative study of long-term intensive care patients' inner strength and willpower-Promoting and challenging aspects.
- Source :
-
Journal of clinical nursing [J Clin Nurs] 2019 Nov; Vol. 28 (21-22), pp. 3991-4003. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Jul 14. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Aims and Objectives: To explore aspects that promote and challenge long-term ICU patients' inner strength and willpower.<br />Background: Considerable research has been devoted to ICU patients' experiences; however, research on long-term ICU patients is limited. Studies in a health-promoting perspective focusing on long-term ICU patients' inner strength and willpower are scarce.<br />Design: A qualitative, hermeneutic-phenomenological approach, using in-depth interviews.<br />Methods: Seventeen long-term Norwegian ICU patients were interviewed once, at 6-18 months after ICU discharge. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research was used (Data S1).<br />Results: The lived experience of the phenomenon "inner strength and willpower" and what promotes and challenges this phenomenon in long-term ICU patients were represented by four main themes and nine subthemes. Promoting aspects comprised of two main themes and five subthemes: (a) "No doubt about coming back to life" with subthemes; "Strong connectedness to life; feeling alive and present," "Meaning and purpose; feeling valuable to somebody." (b) "How to ignite and maintain the spark of life," with the subthemes: "Practical solutions, coping skills from previous life experiences," "Provocative and inspiring experiences" and "Vivid dream experiences that ignite the willpower." Two main categories and four subcategories represented challenging aspects: (a) Exhaustion, weakness and discomfort; subthemes; "Physical challenges" and "Mental discomfort" and (b) "Tiring delusions," subthemes; "Living in the worst horror movie" and "Feeling trapped."<br />Conclusion: This study expands on previous studies by providing insights about what promotes and challenges long-term ICU patients' inner strength and willpower during their recovery trajectory.<br />Relevance to Clinical Practice: Insights into the variety of long-term ICU patients' experiences during the recovery trajectory are important for ICU nurses to support and facilitate ICU patients' inner strength and willpower.<br /> (© 2019 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Nursing Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1365-2702
- Volume :
- 28
- Issue :
- 21-22
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of clinical nursing
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 31241805
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14980