Table 4.

Families’ feelings/emotions while communicating with the patient.

Themes	Subthemes	Descriptions	Quotes
Positive feelings	Feeling elated/happy/excited	Several family members described their experience with the VidaTalk™ as an ‘exciting’ experience. The families felt ‘happy’ and ‘elated’ that they were able to communicate with their family patients by understanding the patient’s needs and requests clearly.	“Elated, is the best way to describe my feelings of being able to communicate with my wife.” (Participant 3) “It [VidaTalk™] was very effective in providing the communication my wife needed and we were happy with them.” (Participant 6) “Using VidaTalk™ application is an exciting experience during the difficult time when my husband was admitted in the ICU.” (Participant 4) “We were excited to get the tablet and my mom was happy to have a way to communicate with us while having the trach.” (Participant 5)
	Feeling relieved	Family members felt relieved while communicating using VidaTalk™ during their family patient’s MV treatment. The VidaTalk™ also relieved the family’s increased worries for the patient’s comfort and feeling of being safe with the inability to understand communication.	“Once she was able to communicate and know that she had the tools she needed to make us understand her, we felt a sense of relief.” (Participant 3) “There was a sense of relief when we found ways for her to communicate with us such as using the VidaTalk™ app.” (Participant 5) “We were relieved to have the ability to communicate clearly
	Less frustrated/less stressful	Family members reported less frustration with the inability to communicate when using VidaTalk™. Some family members believed that they would have felt additional stress without the VidaTalk™.	with my husband -this reduced the additional stress we all felt. I can’t imagine a more frustrating and stress filled situation that witnessing a loved who is in the hospital ICU and unable to communicate clearly. We were all worried about his health and the added stress of not understanding his wishes greatly increased his frustration and our worry for his peace of mind, care and comfort. The tablet eliminated this.” (Participant 1) “It was nerve-wracking to not know what my mom was trying to say to us and it also frustrated her. The tablets helped give us a sense of relief to lessen this frustration.” (Participant 5)
	Feeling thankful/grateful	Family members felt thankful and grateful for participating in this study and having VidaTalk™ to communicate with the patient.	“We thank you for being included in this study and encourage you to share our good fortune with others.” (Participant 3) “What I feel after using the VidaTalk™ to communicate, my husband and I feel thankful that you guys provide this VidaTalk™. The tablet helps my husband to communicate with me, and during that time, I am thankful and happy that he is able to express his feeling.” (Participant 4) “The tablet was greatly appreciated and hope they are offered to all patients who cannot communicate.” (Participant 1)
Negative feelings	Feeling sad/distressed	Family members reported sadness and/or distress when the patient expressed their anxiety, worries, feeling scared about their health and treatment using VidaTalk™. Those conversations bothered family members.	“Her ability to tell of her anxiety where heartbreaking.” (Participant 3) “The conversation bothered me when he said that he’s in pain, he gonna die, he can’t make it.” (Participant 4) “The conversation that bothered me the most was his distress about the surgeries.” (Participant 5)