title: The stress of patient emergencies for the clinician: incidence, impact, and means of coping.
abstract: This article presents evidence from the literature on the incidence and impact of behavioral emergencies on clinicians as well as suggestions for improved education and support for work in this area. Behavioral emergencies are conceptualized as including imminent life-threatening behaviors such as patient suicidal behavior, patient violence, and instances in which patients become the victims of interpersonal violence. Suggestions are offered for how clinicians can understand and cope with their own reactions during and after such patient emergencies. Additionally, data on deficits in the education and training of psychologists are presented along with suggestions for how programs and clinical sites can improve their training in emergency and crisis work.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Service, VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine, MA 02130, USA.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kleespies
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Dettmer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D004630:Emergencies / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011586:Psychology, Clinical; D016079:Refusal to Treat; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States