Original Article

Factors Influencing the Reactions of Relatives of Arrested Patients Receiving CPR and Reactions to the News of Their Deaths

10.5152/eajem.2017.46036

  • Tufan Yıldırım
  • Behçet Al
  • Suat Zengin
  • Mustafa Boğan
  • Mustafa Sabak
  • Cuma Yıldırım
  • Şevki Hakan Eren

Received Date: 01.05.2017 Accepted Date: 01.06.2017 Eurasian J Emerg Med 2017;16(3):112-118

Aim:

Although various studies in the literature have focused on the delivery of bad news, data originating from the emergency services about the factors influencing relatives’ reactions are insufficient. To evaluate the reactions of patients’ relatives to the receipt of bad news in the emergency department and the factors influencing these reactions.

Materials and Methods:

The study was performed in the Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine (Group 1) and the emergency departments of state hospitals in Gaziantep (Group 2) between May 2014 and May 2015. The physicians in Group 1 had received training in communicating bad news to relatives. The physicians in Group 2 had not received such training. The approaches of the physicians to the delivery of bad news and the reactions of the patients’ relatives were recorded in prepared forms.

Results:

Each group included 100 patients who underwent resuscitation. The rates of briefing relatives and information provision about the possibility of arrest were higher in Group 1. The main reaction of the relatives in Group 1 was crying, whereas the relatives in Group 2 had multiple negative reactions. Many of the relatives in Group 2 committed violence in order to see their loved ones during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). When the data for both groups were combined, the rates of negative responses were highest for cases of unexpected death and male patients.

Conclusion:

The degree of affinity to the patient, the frequency and type of information provided to relatives during and after resuscitation, and informing relatives after allowing them into the resuscitation room to see their loved ones affected relatives’ reactions.

Keywords: Cardiac arrest patient, emergency care, bad news, patient’s relatives, factors affecting reactions