Resumen

BELTRAN SALAZAR, Oscar. Undergoing a critical sickness means not to be capable and not to be able to decide. Index Enferm [online]. 2008, vol.17, n.2, pp.92-96. ISSN 1699-5988.

Objective: To describe the meaning for the critically sick patients hospitalized in ICU of the experience of being dependent of nurses for meting needs. Methodology: Phenomenological focused research carried out in Medellín in 2006; it included nine adults among 24 and 80 years who were critically sick and hospitalized in ICU. The interview in depth was used for gathering information. The data were analyzed according to the outline proposed by Cohen, Kahan and Steeves. Results: The dependency on other people to act and decide, the suffering and the pain influence in the hardness of the experience of suffering a serious illness. Discussion: Not to be capable of meeting the own necessities and making decisions make the experience of suffering a serious illness "hard and difficult". Conclusion: the dependence of patients with a serious illness should not be assumed by nurses but rather it should be evaluated in each case, as the same as the responses to this dependence to assure the respect for sick people´ rights.

Palabras clave : Dependence; nursing basic care; intensive care; patient's defense; patient's participation.