Effects of a Digital Diary on the Psychological Well-being of Former ICU Patients.

Diary Implementation as a Prelude to Integrated Interventions in Person-centered Care in the Intensive Care Unit

Previous research on the impact of a diary on mental symptoms of PICS, PICS-F, and quality of life in former ICU patients and their relatives has focused specifically on a paper diary. While there has been research on the experiences of former ICU patients, relatives, and ICU nurses regarding the use of a digital diary, it is not known whether this diary has an impact on the psychological well-being and quality of life of former ICU patients and their relatives. A successful implementation of [the digital diary] enables this research. The aim of this study is, therefore, to provide an initial impression of the health-related effects of a digital diary on former ICU patients and their relatives.

Objective: Exploring health-related effects of a digital ICU diary in former ICU patients and their relatives.

Research question 1: What is the effect of a digital ICU diary on the psychological well-being and quality of life in former ICU patients and their relatives? Research question 2: What is the effect of a digital ICU diary on the perceived quality of care and satisfaction with the ICU admission among relatives of former ICU patients?

Inclusion criteria for former ICU patients and their relatives:

• Capacity to make decisions autonomously
• Proficiency in the Dutch language
• 18 years of age or older
• ICU length of stay >48 hours
• No use of an ICU diary before (pre-measurement)
• Used the digital Post-IC diary for more than 1 day (post-measurement)

Exclusion criteria for former ICU patients and their relatives:

• Insufficient proficiency in the Dutch language to express themselves on the subject.
• Patients with a pre-admission diagnosis of psychosis or dementia.
• Use of a paper ICU diary.