It is well-known that critical illness requiring intensive care treatment is a significantly stressful event. We also understand that the life threatening condition and wide range of stressors are likely to cause discomfort, distress and memory imprints. In my research I have focused on patients’ memories of the intensive care and potential psychological problems following discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU). The results have shown that many patients face a spectrum of physical and psychological problems that may cause considerable strain and distress including stressful memory imprints and post-traumatic stress disorder-related symptoms. In Lund University Hospital a Nurse-led Intensive Care After-care Program including the use of patient diaries has therefore been developed, established and preliminary evaluated. Further research will include the development of Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREM) suitable for ICU patients or relatives attending the after care services. After the completion of the validation process, the aim is that these PREM-related evaluation measures can be used to identify potential development areas in order to optimize the care and recovery of the critically ill, at both the individual and unit level.

Other on-going research areas include in-hospital patient safety, intensive care delirium, and termination of resuscitation after cardiac arrest.