INTRODUCTION: Level of satisfaction is a key indicator of quality of care. There are many tools that measure satisfaction with nursing care, however they do not respond to the reality of the critical care patient or to our context. OBJECTIVES: To define and to identify the dimensions of the satisfaction of patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital with nursing cares and to define and identify the dimensions of the concept of satisfaction from their point of view. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative research study was conducted according to the Grounded Theory Method in three Intensive Care Units with 34 individual boxes, with theoretical sampling. Nineteen patients remained after data saturation sampling. Data collection was obtained through recorded in-depth interviews and field logbook. Contents analysis was made according to the Grounded Theory. Guba and Lincoln rigor's criteria were followed. There was a favorable report from the Hospital's Ethics Committee and informed consent was obtained from the patients. RESULTS: Four categories were found: The definition and dimensions of the satisfaction concept, expectations and life experiences. The participants included the following dimensions in their satisfaction definition: professional competences, human, technical and continuous cares. The combination of these elements produces feelings of security, calmness, being monitored, feeling like a person, perceiving a close relationship and trustfulness with the nurse who performs the individualized cares. CONCLUSIONS: The definition and dimensions of satisfaction concept from the patient's point of view show the important aspects of the person and also clarify their dimensions, allowing the construction of tools more in line with the context and real perception.
INTRODUCTION: Level of satisfaction is a key indicator of quality of care. There are many tools that measure satisfaction with nursing care, however they do not respond to the reality of the critical care patient or to our context. OBJECTIVES: To define and to identify the dimensions of the satisfaction of patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital with nursing cares and to define and identify the dimensions of the concept of satisfaction from their point of view. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative research study was conducted according to the Grounded Theory Method in three Intensive Care Units with 34 individual boxes, with theoretical sampling. Nineteen patients remained after data saturation sampling. Data collection was obtained through recorded in-depth interviews and field logbook. Contents analysis was made according to the Grounded Theory. Guba and Lincoln rigor's criteria were followed. There was a favorable report from the Hospital's Ethics Committee and informed consent was obtained from the patients. RESULTS: Four categories were found: The definition and dimensions of the satisfaction concept, expectations and life experiences. The participants included the following dimensions in their satisfaction definition: professional competences, human, technical and continuous cares. The combination of these elements produces feelings of security, calmness, being monitored, feeling like a person, perceiving a close relationship and trustfulness with the nurse who performs the individualized cares. CONCLUSIONS: The definition and dimensions of satisfaction concept from the patient's point of view show the important aspects of the person and also clarify their dimensions, allowing the construction of tools more in line with the context and real perception.