Van Manen’s (1990) qualitative phenomenological method was utilised for this study in order to describe the experiential meanings of essences, and meaning structures of the lived intensive care unit experiences of the fifteen participants during critical illness. According to van Manen (1990), phenomenological research may be seen as a dynamic interplay
between six research activities or techniques, namely: (1) turning to the phenomenon which seriously interests us and commits us to the world, (2) investigating experience as we live it rather than as we conceptualise it, (3) reflecting on the essential themes which characterise the phenomenon, (4) describing the phenomenon through the art of writing and rewriting, (5) maintaining a strong and oriented pedagogical relation to the phenomenon, and, (6) balancing the research context by considering parts and whole.