Oncologists' Protocol and Coping Strategies in Dealing with Patient Loss

Leeat Granek, Paolo Mazzotta, Richard Tozer, Monika K. Krzyzanowska

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

To identify what protocol and coping strategies oncologists turn to cope with patient loss, the authors interviewed 20 oncologists at 3 hospitals. Using the grounded theory method, findings revealed that their protocol may include meeting with families, participating in bereavement rituals, making a phone call, or sending a condolence card. Coping strategies included social support, activity-oriented coping, turning to faith, compartmentalization, and withdrawing from patients and families. The authors conclude by offering implications from this research on how to address oncologists' grief over patient loss in institutional settings in order to improve bereavement care for families and enhance oncologists' quality of life.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)937-952
Number of pages16
JournalDeath Studies
Volume37
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Oncologists' Protocol and Coping Strategies in Dealing with Patient Loss'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this