Remembering the Unforgettable: Trialing ICU Diaries in North America*

The Impact of an Intensive Care Diary on the Psychological Well-Being of Patients and Their Family Members: Longitudinal Study Protocol

BACKGROUND

Thanks to medical and technological advancements, an increasing number of individuals survive admission to intensive care units. However, survivors often experience negative outcomes, including physical impairments and alterations in mental health. Anxiety, depression, cognitive impairments, post-traumatic stress disorders, and functional disorders are known collectively as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Among the key triggering factors of this syndrome, memory impairment appears to play a significant role.

AIMS

This study aims to evaluate the impact of an intensive care diary on the psychological well-being of patients and their relatives after discharge from the ICU.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

EXPECTED RESULTS

The results of this study evaluate the impact of an ICU diary on the quality of life of ICU survivors and their family members.

Diaries in intensive care units: An Italian qualitative study

BACKGROUND

The literature emphasizes the importance of the intensive care unit (ICU) diary to fill the gaps and recover the delusional memories of patients admitted to ICU in order to build the history of their illness. The ICU diary is a measure originally intended to support the severely ill patient, but it would also seem to be useful for family members and carers. According to our analysis of the literature, this study is the first description of the contents of ICU diaries in the Italian context.

AIM

The aim of the study was to describe the contents of ICU patients' diaries filled in by their caregivers, in order to explore the experience and significance attributed to the diaries.

DESIGN

A qualitative longitudinal narrative investigation was conducted at an ICU during the period from April 2016 to April 2017 with a sample composed of 32 families.

METHODS

The participants were caregivers selected through purposive sampling. An ICU nurse explained the study to caregivers and offered the opportunity to participate.

RESULTS

The sample included 32 diaries. Through the analysis we identified seven themes: future plans and memories; the people who care for the patient and the context; the love surrounding the patient; the clinical progression of the patient and the passage of time; what happens outside the patient's life; references to the usefulness/non-usefulness of the diary; communication/reflection on the likely death of the patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Some themes emerged that have never explored in the literature, and it would be necessary to understand whether the themes that emerged depend on cultural issues.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The diaries could be adapted to the Italian context and this could make the diary a common practice in Italy as well.