A Qualitative Study to Explore the Nurses' Experience of Writing Caring Notes in Diaries for Extracorporeal...

The use of diaries is known to reduce post-intensive care syndrome in the intensive care unit (ICU) for survivors and families. Studies are needed to explore nurses' experience with diaries. Although the diaries are written for the patient, the diary entries may be helpful for the nurse as well. Research has shown that ICU diaries fill in significant memory gaps and aid in the resolution of delusional memories. However, there is a shortage of knowledge about the nurses' experience of writing caring notes in diaries. The purpose of this research was to explore the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) nurses' experience of writing caring notes in diaries during the patients' ICU stay. This is a descriptive phenomenological qualitative research study using semi-structured interviews. A one-on-one interview was performed, audiotaped, and transcribed. Three investigators analyzed the data for themes, subcategories, and indicators. A purposive sample of 15 specialty-trained ECMO nurses participated in the study. Three themes emerged from the study relating to the nurse, family, and patient, including positive and negative aspects of writing in the diary and barriers. The vast majority (88%) of 340 comments answered during the interviews were positive. Overall, nurses found the diaries to be beneficial to the nurse, family, and patient. Diary writing may help nurses get back to the core of why we do what they do. Understanding the nurses' experience may help to improve communication and family satisfaction while optimizing dairy programs.