The Use and Impact of Diaries in PICUs and Neonatal ICUs: A Scoping Review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have investigated the impact of diaries in adult ICUs, which have been used as a tool to support recall and reduce post-traumatic stress disorder in patients and their families. We conducted a scoping review to determine the definition of ICU diaries, and the extent, range, and nature of research conducted on NICU and PICU diaries, describe their use and impact, as well as identify gaps in knowledge and areas for future research.

Duelo en enfermería ante la muerte de niños en la unidad de cuidados intensivos

“…Es así como la muerte de un niño deja una marca en las enfermeras no solo en el ámbito profesional sino también en el personal que las conduce a replantearse el sentido de vida y su don de servicio. 14 A la luz de los hallazgos de la revisión la unidad de cuidados intensivos se reconoce como una de las áreas asistenciales donde mayor probabilidad de muerte existe y donde la muerte de un niño representa una experiencia devastadora en la que muchas veces se requiere la aplicación de estrategias de afrontamiento para sobrellevar la situación porque al ser recurrente puede desgastar física y emocionalmente al profesional de enfermería. 15…”

Nurses' and Parents' View on Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Diaries: A Qualitative Study and Framework Conceptualization

“…Currently, the NICU diary established by nurses is no rigidly used intervention but a flexible tool to support the parental coping process, as is reflected in a recent review. 23 Therefore, in practice, more than the identified three types may emerge over time. Even if it's used profitably, it lacks a theoretical foundation that systematically describes the addressed (3) “functions” in context of the coping process covered by different ways of writing, reading, and communicating depending on diary (1) “usage” and (2) “content.” The described (4) “challenges” show that there is need of clarification on how to conceptualize diary writing.…”

“…Based on reports of experiences with the NICU diary, a setting-related concept is assumed. 18,19,23 However, to the author's knowledge, there is no overview of how NICU diaries are established in clinical practice and how different forms of diaries affect parents in coping with their experiences.…”