Memory making in critical care: A qualitative thematic synthesis

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Bereavement Care
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Caring for bereaved families is a key nursing role in critical care settings.
• Memory making practices acknowledge and support patients during dying, death, and bereavement.
• These practices originated in neonatal care and are now common in adult critical care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore families' experiences with memory making in critical care.
• To understand how memory making influences the bereavement process for families.
• To enhance support for families experiencing loss in critical care.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative thematic synthesis was conducted.
• A systematic search of five databases (Medline, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Embase, ASSIA) was performed.
• Seven qualitative studies (2014-2020) from adult and pediatric critical care settings were included, detailing practices like diaries, keepsakes, word clouds, and photography.

Main Results:

• The synthesis identified four key themes: 'connection', 'compassion', 'engagement and creation', and 'continuation'.
• Families found memory making to be a meaningful activity amidst the technical environment of critical care.
• Nursing staff support is crucial for families engaging in these practices.

Conclusions:

• Memory making is a valuable activity that provides focus and meaning for families in critical care.
• These practices can positively influence the bereavement experience and foster a continuing bond with the deceased.
• Memory making offers structure and purpose during the challenging transition of critical care loss.