biostudies-literatureUnknown18(1)Kalocsai CThe Innovation Fund of the Alternative Funding Plan for the Academic Health Sciences Centres of Ontario<h4>Background</h4>Studies in the intensive care unit (ICU) suggest that better communication between families of critically ill patients and healthcare providers is needed; however, most randomized trials targeting interventions to improve communication have failed to achieve family-centered outcomes. We aim to offer a novel analysis of the complexities involved in building positive family-provider relationships in the ICU through the consideration of not only communication but other important aspects of family-provider interactions, including family integration, collaboration, and empowerment. Our goal is to explore family members' perspectives on the enablers and challenges to establishing therapeutic alliance with ICU physicians and nurses.<h4>Methods</h4>We used the concept of therapeBMC health services research533https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6038351biostudies-literature"It's better to have three brains working instead of one": a qualitative study of building therapeutic alliance with family members of critically ill patients.PMC6038351Kalocsai CAmaral APiquette DGotlib Conn LWalter GDev SPTaylor PDownar Jfalse"It's better to have three brains working instead of one": a qualitative study of building therapeutic alliance with family members of critically ill patients.<h4>Background</h4>Studies in the intensive care unit (ICU) suggest that better communication between families of critically ill patients and healthcare providers is needed; however, most randomized trials targeting interventions to improve communication have failed to achieve family-centered outcomes. We aim to offer a novel analysis of the complexities involved in building positive family-provider relationships in the ICU through the consideration of not only communication but other important aspects of family-provider interactions, including family integration, collaboration, and empowerment. Our goal is to explore family members' perspectives on the enablers and challenges to establishing therapeutic alliance with ICU physicians and nurses.<h4>Methods</h4>We used the concept of therape2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Jul2025-04-26T08:27:24.716Z2019-03-26T23:46:04ZS-EPMC60383512998672210.1186/s12913-018-3341-1