Table 2 Uncertainties around patient illness and appearance related to Caregiver Psychological distress during critical care

“We were just, almost kind of in shock knowing what was coming up… and I didn’t actually know anything at the end of surgery whether you know, the pathology” (Spouse, Caregiver 01)

“The minute I heard the kidneys were failing and he had to have dialysis, that just threw me for a loop because I wasn’t expecting that at all” (Sibling, Caregiver 13)

“when you go one day and they seem to be getting better and then you go the next day and they seem to be regressing, then it’s kind of worrisome.” (Fiancé, Caregiver 05)

“It was a very scary situation… have him laying on the bed in excruciating pain was kind of scary” (Fiancé, Caregiver 05)

Factor quote:^a “if a patient was on room air or was just on a nasal cannula and then we have the need to intubate them, that of course we would call a family member for just because that, like being restrained, that can be a very shocking thing to see and so we do, we do update them you know if we’re intubating or doing anything major like that, putting in lines, you know like arterial pressure lines or central lines, we always let them know.” (Nurse, Team member 06)

Factor quote: “I mean it’s with Critical Care you know some things can be very uncertain. I think some things can really be traumatic for family members. Some of the things that patients are connected to, how patients are doing” (Ancillary staff, Team member 02)

Strategy quote:^b “I do a lot of just listening and you know letting them know it’s okay, it’s okay to have whatever emotion that they’re having. So you know sometimes they can be angry and that’s okay. They’re going through stressors, they’re seeing things that they haven’t seen before and that’s okay and you can talk to me about it.” (Ancillary staff, Team member 02)

Strategy quote: “personally I always ask like the patient and the family if they’re around, like do you want, do you have any questions for the physicians, we’re going to do rounds, you know feel free to listen or participate as much or as little as you want, you know I just make sure to make them feel welcome or try to” (Nurse, Team member 12)