Relatives perception of writing diaries for critically ill. A phenomenological hermeneutical study

Diaries written by nurses for the critically ill patient help the relatives cope and support the patient. Relatives may participate in writing a diary for the critically ill and when they do this is appreciated by the patients. However, the relative's perception of writing a diary has not previously been explored.

To explore how relatives perceive writing a diary for the critically ill patient.

In a phenomenological-hermeneutic study building on the theory of Ricoeur interviews with seven relatives were conducted and interpreted.

When relatives wrote a diary for the critically patients, they experienced that writing and reading the diary allowed for the unloading of emotions and expression of feelings. Writing a diary was a meaningful activity while enduring a situation of uncertainty and furthermore it created a distance that allowed understanding of the critical situation.

Involving relatives in writing a diary may support relatives and help them cope with the critical situation.

Relatives are distressed and struggle to understand what is happening during the patient's course of illness. Involving relatives in writing a diary for the critically ill could be one way to meet their needs in the critical situation.