{
  "abstract": "Background: Despite the frequent occurrence of patient death in cardiac practice, its emotional impact on cardiac physicians (CPs) remains poorly explored. Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the Emotional Impact of Patient Death (EIPD) and examine its association with symptoms of psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and burnout. A secondary objective was to identify risk factors of high emotional impact. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of French CPs, using EIPD self-reported 10-point Likert scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results: Among 6,080 invited physicians, 747 CPs completed the survey (response rate 12.2%; mean age 44.5 ± 12.3 years; 43% women; 75% cardiologists, 12% anesthesiologists, 8% surgeons, and 5% pediatric cardiologists). CPs were divided into EIPD quartiles; Q4 (≥8/10) comprised 201 (26%) respondents. Higher EIPD was associated with a greater psychological distress: Q4 participants reported symptoms of anxiety (n = 104, 52%), depression (n = 85, 42%), post-traumatic stress disorder (n = 121, 60%), and severe burnout (n = 103, 51%). This group also reported more frequent conflicts with colleagues and higher use of psychotropic or addictive substances. In multivariable analysis, female sex, cardiothoracic surgical specialty, and a history of personal trauma were independently associated with high EIPD (Q3-Q4 vs Q1-Q2). Conclusions: The emotional impact of patient death is significantly associated with symptoms of psychological distress among CPs, highlighting an under-recognized dimension of physician well-being that requires targeted institutional support and training.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Thibaud Damy"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sophie Provenchère"
    },
    {
      "name": "Frédéric Pochard"
    },
    {
      "name": "Rebecca Dickason"
    },
    {
      "name": "Erwan Flécher"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/am8z2vh6v5ddc.bib",
  "cited_by": 1,
  "doi": "10.1016/j.jacadv.2026.102861",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "am8z2vh6v5ddc",
  "issns": [
    "2772-963X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://hal.science/hal-05679257v1",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "hal",
      "0.sdv"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "3600|Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7165015271",
  "pdf_url": "https://hal.science/hal-05679257/document",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": "42308648",
  "published": "2026-10-23",
  "publisher": "Elsevier",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/am8z2vh6v5ddc.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:01Z",
      "native_id": "hal-05679257",
      "source": "hal",
      "url": "https://hal.science/hal-05679257v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "journal-openalex:2705|Cardiac Valve Diseases and Treatments",
      "subfield": "cardiovascular"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Emotional Impact of Patient Death and Associated Psychological Distress in Cardiac Physicians",
  "title_text": "Emotional Impact of Patient Death and Associated Psychological Distress in Cardiac Physicians",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:18:01Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/am8z2vh6v5ddc",
  "venue": "JACC. Advances",
  "versions": []
}