{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,21]],"date-time":"2026-06-21T20:48:35Z","timestamp":1782074915043,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":22,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,1]],"date-time":"2026-06-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1780272000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,1]],"date-time":"2026-06-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1780272000000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"funder":[{"name":"University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine CoMRAD Award","award":["424092"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["424092"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Journal of Patient Experience"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,6]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Families play essential roles in the intensive care unit (ICU), yet COVID-19 visitor restrictions disrupted patient- and family-centred care (PFCC). This study explored the impact of these restrictions and identified strategies to maintain PFCC when families cannot be physically present in the ICU. We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews with patients and loved ones who experienced ICU visitor restrictions during the pandemic. Participants were recruited from across Canada between January 2021 and April 2022. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Sixteen participants (11 loved ones and 5 patients) described significant challenges to PFCC. We identified four themes: 1) circumstances and context shaped lived experiences of visitor restrictions; 2) visitor restrictions disrupted information flow; 3) physical separation hindered loved ones\u2019 roles as care partners; and 4) creative solutions could mitigate negative impacts. Restricted visitation policies significantly affected communication, advocacy, and emotional support. Participant-generated solutions\u2014human-centered, technological, and informational\u2014offer actionable strategies to preserve PFCC during future crises or when bedside presence is limited.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/23743735261461031","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,19]],"date-time":"2026-06-19T08:01:32Z","timestamp":1781856092000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Impact of Visitor Restrictions on Patient and Family Perceptions of Care in Canadian ICUs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Descriptive Study"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"13","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4491-0703","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Christine","family":"Patterson","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Saskatchewan,"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5826-5245","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jennifer M.","family":"O\u2019Brien","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Saskatchewan,"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Salima","family":"Suleman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Salima Suleman-Research and Innovating Consulting Inc., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Faith A.","family":"Bae","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Saskatchewan,"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Eileen","family":"Reimche","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Saskatchewan Center for Patient Oriented Research"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Candace A.","family":"Abramyk","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Saskatchewan Center for Patient Oriented Research"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Caitlyn","family":"Kitts","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Saskatchewan,"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sana","family":"Mohamad","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Saskatchewan,"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yolanda","family":"Palmer-Clarke","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Saskatchewan,"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Joann","family":"Kawchuk","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Saskatchewan,"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5997-4115","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sabira","family":"Valiani","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Saskatchewan,"},{"name":"University of Saskatchewan,"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,19]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_7_2_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/CCM.0000000000004191"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_3_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/CCM.0000000000002169"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_4_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/J.ICCN.2022.103346"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_5_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/ccm.0000000000002624"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_6_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jcrc.2017.08.008"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_7_2","volume-title":"Re-Integration of Family Caregivers as Essential Partners in Care in a Time of COVID-19 #MoreThanAVisitor. 2020","author":"Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement, Foundation for Healthcare Improvement C","unstructured":"Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement, Foundation for Healthcare Improvement C. Re-Integration of Family Caregivers as Essential Partners in Care in a Time of COVID-19 #MoreThanAVisitor. 2020. https:\/\/www.cfhi-fcass.ca\/docs\/default-source\/itr\/tools-and-resources\/better_together_executive-summary_en.pdf. Accessed 17 June 2021."},{"key":"e_1_3_7_8_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s12630-021-02049-4"},{"key":"e_1_3_7_9_2","unstructured":"Institute for Patient-And Family-Centred Care. Better Together - Partnering with Families. 2020. https:\/\/www.ipfcc.org\/bestpractices\/better-together.html. 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