Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the life experience of conscious patients who were on light sedatives and mechanical ventilation in an ICU.
The study used methods adapted from a phenomenological approach described by Giorgi, including observations and interviews regarding the intubation and mechanical ventilation of six male participants who were conscious and lightly sedated.
The patients experienced various sensations, and nine major themes emerged from observations and interviews: "Being exposed in a defenseless state, surrounded by strange people in an unfamiliar environment"; "perceiving the situation by using the senses without explanation"; "being tied to a respiratory lifeline, there is indeterminate struggle and foreign bodily sensations"; "wanting to be awake rather than asleep under sedation"; "caring for surrounding people and being involved in personal care"; "being considered by care providers as being unable to speak and not being given an opportunity to speak"; "wanting to perform activities that is not left up to my own"; "intubated patients should seemingly not be moved without permission"; and "being treated in a way that feelings are not being recognized by the health care provider". The patients also stated that while they are maintaining a self-image, the proactive nature and existence of humanizing treatment has been threatened by the health care providers.
These results suggest that health care providers must revise their perception of conscious patients on light sedatives that are intubated and mechanically ventilated. Moreover, there is a critical need to improve the patient-health care provider relationship, including communication.
