Emotional Impact of Patient Death and Associated Psychological Distress in Cardiac Physicians
Authors' conclusion
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.
Study context
- Population
- French cardiac physicians (CPs)CPs completed the survey among 6,080 invited physicians (response rate 12.2%)
- Participants
- 747 physicians
- Exposure
- Emotional Impact of Patient Death (EIPD) quartiles; high EIPD
- Q4n = 201
- Outcome
- Psychological distress symptoms in Q4 participants
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
| Group | Anxiety | Depression | Post-traumatic stress disorder | Severe burnout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 | n = 104, 52% | n = 85, 42% | n = 121, 60% | n = 103, 51% |
Q4
Anxietyn = 104, 52%
Depressionn = 85, 42%
Post-traumatic stress disordern = 121, 60%
Severe burnoutn = 103, 51%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
Conflicts with colleagues and use of psychotropic or addictive substances
- Q4 reported more frequent conflicts with colleagues and higher use of psychotropic or addictive substances
Risk factors of high EIPD (Q3-Q4 vs Q1-Q2)
- Female sex, cardiothoracic surgical specialty, and a history of personal trauma were independently associated with high EIPD
- Multivariable analysis
Respondent characteristics
- Mean age
- 44.5 ± 12.3 years
- Women
- 43%
- Cardiologists
- 75%
- Anesthesiologists
- 12%
- Surgeons
- 8%
- Pediatric cardiologists
- 5%
- Q4 share of respondents
- 26%
Original publication
Emotional Impact of Patient Death and Associated Psychological Distress in Cardiac Physicians. JACC Adv. Published 17 June 2026. doi:10.
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