| Category | Subcategory |
| Reflecting upon the severe phase with the help of the individual’s own memories and the ICU diary | ・ Individual reality and objective reality were compared based on the results of the ICU diary. |
| ・ The provision of information that dealt with various topics was very beneficial for learning about events in the ICU. | |
| ・ The ICU diary facilitated reflection of the recovery process of the individual’s illness. | |
| Finding reality through one’s own memories and with the help of surrounding information | ・ Confusion about discrepancies between one’s own memories and the ICU diary were straightened out by asking friends and family. |
| ・ Circumstances of the ICU could not be imagined through the ICU diary alone, but memories began to be restored with the help of others. | |
| ・ The ICU diary mentioned events such as self-extubation, which were funny when read with family members. | |
| Perception of experience and nurse care through the ICU diary | ・ Nurses’ comments not only informed patients about reality but also encouraged them. |
| ・ Perception that nurses provided intensive care when the individual was experiencing difficulties. | |
| In addition to the ICU diary, the patients required someone to give them courage for reflection | ・ Feeling of burden from the delusional memories and unable to open the ICU diary |
| ・ Unable to accept one’s own situation despite reading the ICU diary. | |
| Wanting to reconfirm the place where one received treatment. | ・ Reading the ICU diary makes one interested about one’s ICU stay. |