Grief in Medical Students: The Short and Long-Term Impacts on Health and Well-Being

Abstract

Context: Healthcare workers often experience grief stemming from the loss of patients under their care. The impact of personal grief on healthcare workers’ wellbeing is less well described, particularly for trainees. To better characterize the prevalence and impact of personal grief on the mental and physical health of medical students, we conducted a survey of medical students at our institution. Methods: An electronic Qualtrics survey was distributed to all currently enrolled medical students at our institution. After an initial question screening for loss before or during medical school, our survey assessed (1) basic demographic data; (2) relationship to the deceased; (3) impact of the loss on trainee health; and (4) utilization of institutional supports for grief. Results: A total of 344 (68.8%) students responded to our survey. Two hundred and 25 (65.4%) students had experienced personal loss prior to or during medical school. 53.7% experienced more than 1 loss, with most of these losses (62.5%) occurring more than 2 years prior to the survey date. Up to 40% of respondents reported at least 1 psychologically distressing symptom that persisted beyond 1 year. Most students (93.8%) relied on family members for support; however, 23.2% of students indicated they would use institutional resources if available. Conclusion: Most medical students have experienced bereavement before or during medical school, which has had significant impact on their well-being. While medical students did not typically utilize institutionally based resources, many students expressed interest in such resources.

Evidências iniciais de validade da Escala de Sobrecarga de Luto Profissional para o contexto brasileiro

“…As correlações dos fatores, à exceção do Fator 3 -Perda nostálgica, se alinham ao esperado da vivência do luto e suas relações com depressão e o luto como carga de trabalho com o estresse [1,2,5]. O fato do fator 3 não se correlacionar com os indicadores psicopatológicos foi encontrado nos estudo original de criação da SLP [1], podendo indicar que o sentimento de saudade em si dos pacientes não se configure como um marcador patológico, mas como uma vivência na experiência com o luto profissional, cujo desfecho depende de outros fatores psicossociais no ambiente laboral [4].…”

“…A relação entre o Fator 2 -Esforço emocional no cuidar com as variáveis depressão e estresse, corrobora o já identificado efeito do convívio com a morte de pacientes como fator de exaustão e de risco para o esgotamento profissional [1]. Já as correlações positivas do Fator 4 -Partilha incompreendida com a sintomatologia depressiva e com estresse indica a possível relação entre falta de suporte social/organizacional quando da morte dos pacientes [2,4,5].…”

“…Este processo é denominado "luto insulado" ou luto profissional, que se refere a sobrecarga de luto da qual os profissionais da saúde experienciam em consequência de suas condições laborais [1,2]. Muitos destes profissionais percebem as demandas de trabalho, assim como o processo de luto, como situações causadoras de estresse, o que gera dificuldades para o enfrentamento destas devido à exaustão emocional [3,4,5].…”

Analysis of the Influencing Factors of Medical International Students' Employment Choice

“…Graduates in the school mainly showed "better comprehensive assessment" (79.39%), participate in fewer clubs (93.81%), fewer awards and certificates (63.52%). Analyzing the reasons, first of all, the school where the research object is located is in the west, economically underdeveloped, with a large number of poor people, and the economic base determines the superstructure, so the parents' cultural level is correspondingly lower; secondly, the study task of medical students is relatively heavy compared with other colleges and universities, so there is less time for extracurricular activities, so there are fewer participants in the clubs, and the time for examining other qualification certificates is correspondingly fewer [4] .…”

Losing a Loved One in Medical School: The Need for Medical Student Grief Groups

“…At least half of medical students will experience personal loss during medical school, and many experience mental health concerns after the loss. 1 There are few avenues for grief education and support during medical school. 2…”