This meta-synthesis provides insights into the perception of intensive care patients under Mechanical Ventilation (MV) who are continuously observing their own lives.

This process is complex and involves a highly differentiated perception of their environment, the categorization and interpretation of all sensory inputs, as well as the development of situation-specific needs and ways of dealing with them.

This cyclical process is ongoing and includes interaction with HCPs and the care they provide.

Due to the potentially negative long-term effects of an ICU stay for patients and the unique responsibility of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in interactions and as advocates for patients, it is of great importance that they are constantly sensitive to the perceptiveness and differentiated experience of patients under MV.

After all, positive outcomes such as faster weaning can be achieved in particular by knowing their patients and tailoring the therapy to their experience.

Of the 2,563 records identified, 20 studies were included in our synthesis.

This revealed the central phenomenon of patients being observers of their own lives.

They are yearning for a stable picture of reality and developing various situation-specific needs.

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