Intensive and Critical Care Nursing (2008) 24, 300—313 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Experiences of critically ill patients in the ICU Jos´ e G.M. Hofhuis a,c,*,1 , Peter E. Spronk a,1 , Henk F. van Stel b,1 , Augustinus J.P. Schrijvers b,1 , Johannes H. Rommes a,1 , Jan Bakker c,1 a Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Gelre Hospitals (location Lukas), Apeldoorn, The Netherlands b Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands c Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Accepted 20 March 2008 KEYWORDS Patient’s experiences; Intensive care; Nursing care Summary Background: Experiences of critically ill patients are an important aspect of the quality of care in the intensive care (ICU). Objective: The aims of the study were firstly, to evaluate the perceptions of patients regarding nursing care in the ICU, and secondly, to explore patients’ perceptions and experiences of ICU stay. Method: A qualitative approach using a semi-structured focused interview in 11 patients was used (phase 1), followed by a quantitative approach using a self- reported questionnaire in 100 patients, 62 were returned and 50 could be evaluated (phase 2). Results: A number of themes emerged from the interviews (phase 1), although sup- port dominated as an important key theme. This was experienced as a continuum from the feeling being supported by the nurse to not being supported. This key theme was central to each of the three categories emerging from the data pertain- ing to: (1) providing the seriously ill patient with information and explanation, (2) placing the patient in a central position and (3) personal approach by the nurse. The responders to the subsequent questionnaire (phase 2) predominantly experienced sleeping disorders (48%), mostly related to the presence of noise (54%). Psychologi- cal problems after ICU stay were reported by 11% of the patients, i.e. fear, inability to concentrate, complaints of depression and hallucinations. Conclusions: Although the nurses’ expertise and technical skills are considered important, caring behaviour, relieving the patient of fear and worries were experi- enced as most valuable in bedside critical care. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. ∗ Corresponding author at: Department of Intensive Care, Gelre Hospital Location Lukas, Albert Schweitzerlaan 31, 7334 DZ Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 55 5818450; fax: +31 55 5818456. E-mail address: j.hofhuis@gelre.nl (J.G.M. Hofhuis). 1 All authors contributed substantially to the manuscript. 0964-3397/$ — see front matter © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2008.03.004