“My Soul is Empty...”: The Intensive Care Patients’ and Their Family Members’ Experience of Spiritual Care

Abstract

Introduction: The intensive care environment may seem intimidating, too focused on the patient survival and causing stress to the patients and the family members. As more patients survive critical illnesses, experts began to shift treatment focus towards survivorships. Based on previous findings, critically ill patients of the intensive care unit (ICU) need psycho-emotional and spiritual care. In addition, these cares are also vital for their family members. This study was conducted to explore patients’ and family members experience in receiving spiritual care in the ICU. Methods: Interviews with patients and their family members were conducted in the ICUs of three government hospitals in Johor. Data from the interviews were recorded, anonymised, and transcribed. Codes and themes were generated using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Results: A total of 25 patients and family members were included in this study. The central theme was Faith-based Care. Based on the narratives of the participant’s experience, nine categories of spiritual needs were identified emerging through four themes: 1) Having Faith, 2) Giving-receiving All, 3) Being There, and 4) Letting Go. Conclusion: The intensive care patients and their family members valued the provision of spiritual care from ICU clinicians. Their experience of spiritual care in the ICU can be improved with a model of ICU spirituality. Further research is needed to seek the clinicians’ view on spirituality and to further improve its provision in the ICU settings.