Emotional Impact of Patient Death and Associated Psychological Distress in Cardiac Physicians
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.
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BibTeX
@article{damy2026emotional,
title = {{Emotional Impact of Patient Death and Associated Psychological Distress in Cardiac Physicians}},
author = {Thibaud Damy and Sophie Provenchère and Frédéric Pochard and Rebecca Dickason and Erwan Flécher},
journal = {JACC. Advances},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.jacadv.2026.102861},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05679257v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Emotional Impact of Patient Death and Associated Psychological Distress in Cardiac Physicians
AU - Thibaud Damy
AU - Sophie Provenchère
AU - Frédéric Pochard
AU - Rebecca Dickason
AU - Erwan Flécher
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - JACC. Advances
DO - 10.1016/j.jacadv.2026.102861
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05679257v1
AB - 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.
SN - 2772-963X
ER -