Understanding grief and trauma - Module introduction

Introduction

 “One of the hardest parts of the job is the family care - not the patient care” – ICU Nurse

Recognizing and assessing the signs of grief and trauma are the first steps in effectively supporting family members and preventing long-term complications of grief.

By completing this module, you will be able to:

  • Summarize how grief and psychological trauma (referred to as “trauma”) intersect in the ICU setting.
  • Describe different ways families experience and express grief and trauma.
  • Identify strategies you can use to build trust and establish good working relationships with families.