The Surrogate Project (Surrogate Storytelling)

Inclusion Criteria: Screening/Re-contact (1st phase) * Eligible patients will: * lack decision-making capacity * have a surrogate decision maker (family member or friend) Eligible surrogates will: * be 18 years of age or older * self-identify as having primary decision-making authority for the patient * live within approximately 50miles or less of the University of Pittsburgh * be able to conduct a 1hr interview in English * Court-appointed power of attorney will be excluded, as they are not expected to experience the same emotional distress as a family member or friend of a critically ill patient. For Assignment to Intervention/Control (2nd phase) * Eligible surrogates will: * have previously given consent for study staff to follow their loved one's course in the hospital and to be re-contacted * have participated in decision making about limitation of life-sustaining treatments (LST) for their loved one (ICU patient) * have had their loved one (ICU patient) die in the hospital Exclusion Criteria: Screening/Re-contact * Ineligible patients will: * be less than 18 years old * prisoners * be of other legal concern, such as malpractice * Ineligible surrogates will: * be less than 18 years old * be unable to complete a 1-hour interview and questionnaires in English * For Assignment to Intervention/Control Ineligible patients will: * have fully and permanently regained decision-making capacity and therefore no longer require a surrogate to ma…