This study aimed to explore what patients rate as being of the greatest importance and less important, when being cared for in the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim was also to examine the extent to which these topics are met.

In the Patient Empowerment Questionnaire (PEQ-ICU), patients were first asked to rate the importance of 28 items, and then how often those topics were met during their stay in the ICU.  

Having trust/confidence in staff, Receive visits from next of kin, Staff being positive to visitors, Receive pain relief, Staff showing human warmth, and Staff trying to strengthen my life spirit were the items that most patients evaluated as being of the greatest importance. The items Staff being positive to visitors, Receiving pain relief and Receive visits from next of kin, were the items most frequently considered as “always met”, while the items Have influence and Receive help to look forward were less often met.

It was found that there is a potential for improvement in helping the ICU patients to maintain contact with reality, remind them about their importance to someone or something, and what they could look forward to when becoming healthier and returning to ordinary life.

Highlights

• Relationships and caring atmosphere were considered to be of greater importance than physical help and support.
• Get visits from next of kin was found to be the second most important topic to ICU patients, after Have trust in staff.
• ICU patients need help to get their life spirit strengthen e.g. by being reminded about what they could look forward to.