Jading in the pediatric intensive care unit: Implications for healthcare providers of medically complex children.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the phenomenon of jading within the context of the pediatric intensive care unit.


METHODS
Drawing from their experience, the authors describe and then discuss a clinical scenario readily recognizable by pediatric intensive care unit practitioners: a child whose care requires the expenditure of a large amount of energy and resources, provides seemingly little reward, and leads to jading of the PICU staff.


CONCLUSIONS
Jading describes a process of exhaustion whereby apathy, cynicism, and callousness replace the drive to be responsive, to make a difference, and to care. The issue of jading has become an increasing area of concern in the pediatric intensive care unit, due in part to recurring, prolonged admissions, combined with the perception, at times, that continued medical care is fruitless. With a better understanding of the phenomenon of jading, and by reconsidering their own responses, pediatric intensive care unit practitioners can avoid becoming jaded.
Levi
Benjamin H
BH
Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Children's Hospital, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
Thomas
Neal J
NJ
Green
Michael J
MJ
Rentmeester
Christy A
CA
Ceneviva
Gary D
GD
D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations