Reactions to cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a study on emotions and communication behavior of the resuscitating physician
Meyer, W.; Black, F.; Kollenbaum, V.E.
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue Therapeutique 52(2): 97-104
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-5930 PMID: 7892681 Document Number: 449793
Reactions of 20 physicians to cardiopulmonary resuscitation were examined by describing their emotions and communication in over 260 situations of resuscitation. All actions of physicians being helpful for the relatives in their grief change physicians' emotions after resuscitation. Though denial helps the physicians in confrontation with the relatives, it also seems to impair their emotional coping. Coping strategies of physicians are quite different: Young physicians show a pattern of emotional denial and activity in their resuscitation behaviour. Doctors being more experienced tend to deny less in this sense. Physicians with recent loss seem to cope very little emotionally. Active resuscitation behaviour results after resuscitation in being relieved for a short time, but coping is impaired because of the activity pattern. Speaking after resuscitation seems to improve coping.