Medical Crises

Medical Crises

·        Need to:

o  Understand and manage our reactions to critical medical incidents

o  Learn methods of debriefing

o  Maintain confidentiality when managing reactions to unusual events

·        A crisis can be:

o  Death of a patient: especially if similar age or if relationship has developed

o  Patient complaints, medico-legal action

o  Blaming yourself for bad outcomes

·        Responses can be depression, anger, physical illness, ­use of alcohol or self medicated drugs, isolation, suicide

·        Coping strategies:

o  Accept that it is normal to be stressed by stressful events

o  Develop an active interest in details of the crisis (eg read up)

o  Be open about your feelings, don‟t say you‟re fine

o  Actively pursue social support, leisure pursuits 

o  If medico-legal action, keep close contact with your lawyer and as much contact with the patient as the patient desires 

o  Watch out for avoidance behaviours (dropping out, sick days) or intrusive re-experiencing (eg nightmares) –usually indicates need for help

o  Talk to counsellor, GP, colleagues, mentor – not to family or non-medical friends