Takeaway
Upon learning of my patient’s death, I called their spouse to offer support. Realizing my need to talk with someone, I turned to my colleague, who was able to help me refocus on giving excellent care to other patients.
Passion in the Medical Profession | November 1, 2023 | 2 min read
By Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Recently, I received the sad news that a patient of mine, who was in their 50s, died suddenly. I was devastated. I could only think of the patient’s family, friends, and the gap that unexpectedly appeared in all of those people’s lives. I worried about if I could have done something differently. I also knew I had extra personal perspective weighing on me, as my brother-in-law also died in his 50s, as a physician who got COVID early in the pandemic. That made the loss even more raw.
So, what did I do?
First, I called the patient’s spouse to express my condolences and talk for a while. It’s hard to make that call, but it always makes me feel better to do it.
I then thought, “I need to talk to someone about my loss.” I was acutely aware that I needed some help. Clinicians who have been involved in a medical error or adverse patient event need help too. There’s a lot of research that shows if clinicians get peer support early on, they can recover from an adverse clinical event and thrive.
Where I work, there’s a formal peer support program, where I can page someone and they’ll talk with me when I need it. I considered that, but instead called on my informal peer supports: other physicians who are friends and whom I trust. They supported me first by texting back right away and acknowledging how hard the experience must have felt. Then I had a chance to talk with one of them by phone; she listened and helped me to put the event in perspective. Although I’m still upset by the loss, I felt better and most importantly, was able to refocus on caring for my other patients.
If you don’t have a program like this where you work, there is a national Physician Support Line available to all physicians and medical students in the U.S. and is staffed by volunteer psychiatrists. Nurses in the U.S. have a similar nationwide program called Debriefing the Front Lines. First Responders have one as well: Safe Call Now.
We all need support sometimes. Don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re struggling.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.