Using diaries in intensive care: A method for following up patients

Abstract

Patients' recollections of intensive care are often a confusing mixture of 'reality', past experiences and vivid dreams. Many intensive care patients find it difficult to make sense of their experiences. In our intensive care unit, for several years, we have been using patient diaries to record the patient's stay in intensive care. The diaries are utilised as part of a follow-up programme that helps the patient to understand, and come to terms with, their intensive care admission. The diaries have been positively evaluated by both patients and staff, and are a valuable tool for learning from patents' experiences.