A personal reflection on the issues surrounding the use of euphemisms following sudden death.
This paper uses Driscoll's (1994) model of reflection to review the care given to a family who encountered sudden bereavement in a coronary care unit. As a result of using euphemisms to describe and break bad news, the author experienced feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Implications for nurse education in the area of sudden death and bereavement are discussed, with a focus on the need to include the sensitive use of interpersonal skills necessary to provide comfort and support to the suddenly bereaved.
Christaki
K
K
Coronary Care Unit, Southmead Hospital, Southmead Health Care Trust, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol.
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001601:Bereavement; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D003422:Critical Care / Q000523:psychology*; D003645:Death, Sudden; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012660:Semantics; D013850:Thinking