The ICU is inherently a stressful place, and a high percentage of family members in our study were still at risk for symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression 3 months after their ICU experience regardless of whether the patient survived or died. Because family members are an integral component of care in ICUs, we need a better understanding of the psychological symptoms family members experience, the risk factors that lead to the symptoms, and interventions that might help ameliorate the symptoms. Future research is needed to
ascertain what may be occurring in the ICU that remains traumatic for family members after their ICU experience and what types of interventions will help lessen these symptoms. As critical care nurses, we are in the prime position to be the ones to help support patients’ familiesduring this challenging time and to guide the direction of future research in this area.