Family adaptation in relation to a family member's stay in ICU

To describe and interpret the family adaptation during the ICU hospitalisation and up to 18 months after discharge.

A qualitative design was chosen.

Individual and family interviews with eight families including 31 family members. A hermeneutical analysis was performed and paradigm cases were constructed.

The result is presented in three themes: striving for endurance, striving for consolation and striving to rebuild life under new conditions. The family adaptation started at the onset of the critical incident and continued during the ICU stay and after discharge. The family members metaphorically went through peaks and valleys during the whole process of adaptation.

Adaptation is an issue for the whole family and is facilitated by being able to stay close to the patient and receive supportive unambiguous information from the staff both during the ICU stay and after discharge.