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I shadow at a busy emergency room in a teaching hospital. I had the privilege to see many cool trauma cases. Every time I start my shift, I look forward to those adrenalin-releasing experiences. However, last night I witnessed a case that excited me at the beginning, but made me feel miserable for the rest of the night.
A 2-year old boy was brought with a cardiac arrest. The usual CPR, intubation, etc. were per done on him, but he didn't make it. The boy parents and other family members were hysterical. It was very dramatic even some of the female nurses were crying. I almost did. Having a 4-year old son aggravated my pain. I kept thinking about that boy his parents and imagining it was my son. I felt depressed for the entire night.
I understand such unfortunate events are part of physicians' life, especially in emergency medicine. How do you docs cope with these painful experiences? how do you prepare yourselves to carry the life-changing news to family members?
Thanks
A 2-year old boy was brought with a cardiac arrest. The usual CPR, intubation, etc. were per done on him, but he didn't make it. The boy parents and other family members were hysterical. It was very dramatic even some of the female nurses were crying. I almost did. Having a 4-year old son aggravated my pain. I kept thinking about that boy his parents and imagining it was my son. I felt depressed for the entire night.
I understand such unfortunate events are part of physicians' life, especially in emergency medicine. How do you docs cope with these painful experiences? how do you prepare yourselves to carry the life-changing news to family members?
Thanks