Table 1 Empirical studies
From: The death of a patient: a model for reflection in GP training
Main characteristics of empirical studies on how physicians deal with the death of a patient * | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Studies | Year, participants, country | Type of study | Goal of study; conclusion |
Moores 2007 | 2005 188 hospital doctors UK | Questionnaire | Memorable patient deaths; Almost 50% of physicians feel sad following a memorable patient death;around 1 in 10 experiences physical and emotional responses of moderate to severe intensity. The experience of a memorable patient death was influenced by personality traits more than by medical experience |
Jackson 2005 | 1999-2001 51 physicians of quaternary care medical centres USA | 90-minutes semi structured interviews; face-to-face survey on a ten-point scale | To understand emotional experiences of physicians in caring for dying patients; Physicians' emotional reactions to patient death may affect patient care and the personal lives of physicians |
Redinbaugh 2003 | Before 2003 188 hospital doctors, including primary care physicians USA | Semistructured interviews, face-to-face questions and a self administered questionnaireeducation | Doctors' emotional reaction to the recent death of an 'average' patient; effect of level of training; A long and close relationship with a patient makes the doctor more vulnerable to feelings of loss; doctors may benefit from debriefing |
Hoogerwerf 1999 | Before 1999 25 physicians(opinion-leaders) the Netherlands | Interviews | Factors influencing medical decision-making at the end of life; For 80% of the physicians, personal values and experiences were important in medical decision making at the end of life |
Saunderson 1999 | 1996-1998? 25 GPs UK | Semistructured interviews | Managing one's own bereavement and that of the patient; GPs may need support and learning methods to manage their own bereavement |
Durand 1990 | Before 1990 441 family physicians USA | Two-page fixed-choice questionnaire | Personal attitude toward death; feelings and reactions toward terminally-ill patients and their families; A significant relation between having a positive attitude to death and being over 50, having a religious world view and having received education concerning death |