Coping With the Death of a Child

Physicians' reactions to death vary, says Dr. Robert S. McKelvey, author of “When a Child Dies: How Pediatric Physicians and Nurses Cope” (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2007). Patient deaths tend to affect residents and early-career physicians the most, but no physician is immune. “No matter how experienced you are, there are going to be situations that are really going to affect you, especially if you get a little too attached to a patient or to a patient's family,” said Dr. McKelvey, who interviewed about 35 pediatricians, pediatric residents, and pediatric nurses for his book.