To gain an in-depth understanding of the communication needs of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) mechanical ventilation patients during the mechanical ventilation process.

This study was a descriptive qualitative study. From January to June 2022, purposive sampling was used to select 15 awake ICU patients with mechanical ventilation at Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University as the research objects, and in-depth interviews were conducted. The content analysis method was used to analyze interview data, summarize and generalize themes.

Two themes and ten sub-themes were extracted, namely the multiple needs during mechanical ventilation (physiological needs, communication and physical expression, constraints and activities, longing for family companionship, discomfort to the ICU environment), complex feelings and experiences during mechanical ventilation (pain caused by mechanical ventilation, fear of awakening from sedation, anxiety and concern about the condition, unpleasant communication and nursing experiences, negative emotions) .

Medical and nursing staff should promptly identify the communication needs of ICU mechanical ventilation patients, apply intelligent communication tools, provide personalized intervention measures, and meet the communication needs of patients.

Intensive Care Unit; Mechanical ventilation; Tracheal intubation; Patient; Communication; Needs; Qualitative study