Physicians' reactions to death vary, said Dr. McKelvey, author of “When a Child Dies: How Pediatric Physicians and Nurses Cope” (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2007). Patient deaths tend to affect residents and early-career physicians the most, but no physician is immune.
“No matter how experienced you are, there are going to be situations that really affect you,” said Dr. McKelvey, who interviewed about 35 pediatricians, pediatric residents, and pediatric nurses for his book.
He discovered that many coped with a dying child by focusing their energies on keeping the child comfortable, explaining the circumstances to the family, and being emotionally present for them.
One strategy is to share your feelings with someone. “Physicians usually find either someone within their own field to talk to, or a professional listener like a psychiatrist or psychologist, or their spouse. [It helps] to continue to do the job. You realize you have only a limited amount of control over what happens to patients.”