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Health care professionals' grief: a model based on occupational style and coping
E M Redinbaugh1, J M Schuerger, L L Weiss
1University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 3600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. ellenr@pitt.edu
Psycho-Oncology
|May 15, 2001
Summary
This study introduces a model for grief in health care professionals (HCPs), integrating burnout, coping, and personality. It explains why different HCPs cope with patient death uniquely, aiding their adjustment.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Occupational Health
- End-of-Life Care
Background:
- Grief research predominantly focuses on patients and families, neglecting health care professionals (HCPs).
- High rates of burnout affect physicians caring for terminally ill patients, highlighting the need for understanding their unique stressors.
- Existing literature on coping strategies reveals differences between healthcare disciplines, such as nurses and physicians.
Observation:
- A hypothetical model is proposed to explain grief reactions in HCPs working with terminally ill patients.
- This model synthesizes burnout, coping mechanisms, and personality/occupational interests.
- Personality traits and occupational preferences influence HCPs' natural stress-coping tendencies.
Findings:
- Grief-related job stress can lead to burnout in over 50% of physicians treating terminally and critically ill patients.
- Coping behaviors differ among HCPs, with nurses potentially preferring different strategies than physicians.
- Personality and occupational interests offer a rationale for these observed coping differences across healthcare disciplines.
Implications:
- Understanding personality/occupational differences can explain varied coping mechanisms among HCPs.
- The model provides insights for developing targeted interventions to support HCPs' adjustment to patient deaths.
- This framework can enhance the well-being and resilience of healthcare professionals in end-of-life care settings.