Introduction:

This study aimed to understand the adult patient’s perspective about his/her experience of hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after discharge from the unit.

Method:

This is a qualitative research, using the semi-structured interview technique and a structured questionnaire to trace the sociodemographic profile of the participants. We interviewed 9 adult patients who were admitted to the ICU of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão (HU-UFMA), during the period of September and October 2021. The data collected were analyzed using the content analysis technique, in the thematic modality.

Results and Discussion:

Themes were highlighted by repetition and relevance, resulting in three categories related to the patient’s experience: the stigma of the ICU and its change after hospitalization; feelings evidenced by patients during ICU stay; and coping resources.

Conclusion:

It was concluded that the emotional aspects indicated important elements for understanding the experience of the patient in the context of the ICU, and, because it is an environment that promotes psychological suffering and where many of the stressors cannot be changed, the care team has a key role in minimizing the impacts of this experience.

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