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Experiences and coping mechanisms of young doctors following the death of a patient: a qualitative study
Background: The death of a patient can be a stressful event for doctors, but not many studies have been conducted in South Africa. The rationale for this study is to see whether our participants (junior doctors) would have similar experiences and coping mechanisms as described in the literature. A b...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Department of Public Health and Family Medicine
2022
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| _version_ | 1867613241242288128 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Snyders, Loreal Leslay |
| author2 | Isaacs, Abdul |
| author_browse | Isaacs, Abdul Snyders, Loreal Leslay |
| author_facet | Isaacs, Abdul Snyders, Loreal Leslay |
| author_sort | Snyders, Loreal Leslay |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Background: The death of a patient can be a stressful event for doctors, but not many studies have been conducted in South Africa. The rationale for this study is to see whether our participants (junior doctors) would have similar experiences and coping mechanisms as described in the literature. A better understanding of these stressful experiences could guide management to better assist future doctors. This study included doctors with five years or less experience since qualification and included interns, medical officers and registrars working at a District Hospital in the Cape Metro Region i.e. Mitchell's Plain District Hospital. Aim: The aim of the study is to describe the experiences and coping mechanisms of doctors after the death of a patient and to assess the effects on their personal, emotional and family life. Methods: An exploratory or phenomenological descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured one-on-one interviews conducted by the primary investigator. Fifteen doctors employed at a District Hospital were included, each with less than five years work experience. Results: The core theme identified was that dealing with death is stressful for young doctors. The themes contributing to the stress included: Inexperience of doctors; sudden unexpected deaths of patients; poor coping mechanisms used; and lack of support structures. This had negative effects on their family and personal life. Conclusion: The study found that the stress of patients' deaths negatively affects young doctors and it is recommended that debriefing sessions be available and better coping mechanisms taught. This may prevent future anxiety disorders, depression and less burnout amongst young doctors. Future studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of debriefing sessions once implemented at Mitchell's Plain District Hospital. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/35514 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:33:01.081Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2022 |
| publishDateRange | 2022 |
| publishDateSort | 2022 |
| publisher | Department of Public Health and Family Medicine |
| publisherStr | Department of Public Health and Family Medicine |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/35514 Experiences and coping mechanisms of young doctors following the death of a patient: a qualitative study Snyders, Loreal Leslay Isaacs, Abdul Public Health and Family Medicine Background: The death of a patient can be a stressful event for doctors, but not many studies have been conducted in South Africa. The rationale for this study is to see whether our participants (junior doctors) would have similar experiences and coping mechanisms as described in the literature. A better understanding of these stressful experiences could guide management to better assist future doctors. This study included doctors with five years or less experience since qualification and included interns, medical officers and registrars working at a District Hospital in the Cape Metro Region i.e. Mitchell's Plain District Hospital. Aim: The aim of the study is to describe the experiences and coping mechanisms of doctors after the death of a patient and to assess the effects on their personal, emotional and family life. Methods: An exploratory or phenomenological descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured one-on-one interviews conducted by the primary investigator. Fifteen doctors employed at a District Hospital were included, each with less than five years work experience. Results: The core theme identified was that dealing with death is stressful for young doctors. The themes contributing to the stress included: Inexperience of doctors; sudden unexpected deaths of patients; poor coping mechanisms used; and lack of support structures. This had negative effects on their family and personal life. Conclusion: The study found that the stress of patients' deaths negatively affects young doctors and it is recommended that debriefing sessions be available and better coping mechanisms taught. This may prevent future anxiety disorders, depression and less burnout amongst young doctors. Future studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of debriefing sessions once implemented at Mitchell's Plain District Hospital. 2022-01-18T10:06:08Z 2022-01-18T10:06:08Z 2021 2022-01-18T10:03:50Z Master Thesis Masters MMed http://hdl.handle.net/11427/35514 eng application/pdf Department of Public Health and Family Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences |
| spellingShingle | Public Health and Family Medicine Snyders, Loreal Leslay Experiences and coping mechanisms of young doctors following the death of a patient: a qualitative study |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Experiences and coping mechanisms of young doctors following the death of a patient: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Experiences and coping mechanisms of young doctors following the death of a patient: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Experiences and coping mechanisms of young doctors following the death of a patient: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experiences and coping mechanisms of young doctors following the death of a patient: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Experiences and coping mechanisms of young doctors following the death of a patient: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | experiences and coping mechanisms of young doctors following the death of a patient a qualitative study |
| topic | Public Health and Family Medicine |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/35514 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT snyderslorealleslay experiencesandcopingmechanismsofyoungdoctorsfollowingthedeathofapatientaqualitativestudy |