Critical illness thrusts individuals and their families into a sudden, traumatic crisis, disrupting their lives profoundly. Patients emerging from the intensive care unit (ICU) often grapple with confusion and a range of ongoing physical and psychological challenges. Despite the increasing number of ICU survivors, comprehensive long-term support remains inadequate, often overlooking the significant personal impact of critical illness beyond the medical aspects. This study, based on phenomenological research, delves into the lived experiences of twelve individuals who endured critical illness, both during their ICU stay and in the subsequent months after discharge, highlighting crucial insights for critical care nursing diagnosis and management.
The research revealed that critical illness is perceived as an acute, life-threatening event with enduring consequences. Survivors described a pervasive sense of being in “limbo,” characterized by three interconnected themes: disruption, imprisonment, and being trapped. “Disruption” manifested as temporal and biographical upheaval, altering their sense of time and life trajectory. The ICU environment and its necessary medical interventions fostered a feeling of “imprisonment,” where patients felt confined and controlled by their therapies. Furthermore, survivors experienced being “trapped” within an unfamiliar and compromised body, plagued by uncertainty and persistent health issues stemming from both the illness and its treatments.
This state of limbo underscores the significant challenges faced by critical illness survivors as they attempt to reclaim their pre-illness identities. The uncertainty surrounding their future health and well-being further compounds this struggle. These findings emphasize the critical need for a holistic approach to critical care nursing diagnosis and management that extends beyond the acute phase of illness. Nurses play a pivotal role in recognizing and addressing the multifaceted needs of ICU survivors, encompassing not only their physical recovery but also their psychological and emotional well-being. By understanding the lived experience of “limbo,” critical care nursing can be tailored to provide more effective and compassionate care, facilitating a smoother transition from critical illness to recovery and improved long-term outcomes.
