University Library
  • Login
A gateway to Melbourne's research publications
Minerva Access is the University's Institutional Repository. It aims to collect, preserve, and showcase the intellectual output of staff and students of the University of Melbourne for a global audience.
View Item 
  • Minerva Access
  • Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
  • Melbourne Medical School
  • Medicine and Radiology
  • Medicine and Radiology - Research Publications
  • View Item
  • Minerva Access
  • Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
  • Melbourne Medical School
  • Medicine and Radiology
  • Medicine and Radiology - Research Publications
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Anaesthetists' attitudes towards attending the funerals of their patients: A cross-sectional study among Australian and New Zealand anaesthetists

    Thumbnail
    Download
    Published version (712.1Kb)

    Citations
    Altmetric
    Author
    Kim, K; Churilov, L; Tan, CO; Phan, T; Geertsema, J; Krieser, R; Mehra, R; Stewart, PA; Rachbuch, C; Huang, A; ...
    Date
    2020-11-05
    Source Title
    PLoS One
    Publisher
    PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE
    University of Melbourne Author/s
    Weinberg, Laurence; Churilov, Leonid; Huang, Andrew; Huang, Andrew; Phan, Tuong; KIM, KWANGTAEK; Tan, Chong
    Affiliation
    Medicine and Radiology
    Surgery (Austin & Northern Health)
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Document Type
    Journal Article
    Citations
    Kim, K., Churilov, L., Tan, C. O., Phan, T., Geertsema, J., Krieser, R., Mehra, R., Stewart, P. A., Rachbuch, C., Huang, A. & Weinberg, L. (2020). Anaesthetists' attitudes towards attending the funerals of their patients: A cross-sectional study among Australian and New Zealand anaesthetists. PLOS ONE, 15 (11), https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239996.
    Access Status
    Open Access
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/11343/252963
    DOI
    10.1371/journal.pone.0239996
    Open Access at PMC
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7643987
    Abstract
    A patient's death can pose significant stress on the family and the treating anaesthetist. Anaesthetists' attitudes about the benefits of and barriers to attending a patient's funeral are unknown. Therefore, we performed a prospective, cross-sectional study to ascertain the frequency of anaesthetists' attendance at a patient's funeral and their perceptions about the benefits and barriers. The primary aim was to investigate the attitudes of anaesthetists towards attending the funeral of a patient. The secondary aims were to examine the perceived benefits of and barriers to attending the funeral and to explore the rate of bonds being formed between anaesthetists, patients and families. Of the 424 anaesthetists who completed the survey (response rate 21.2%), 25 (5.9%) had attended a patient's funeral. Of the participants, 364 (85.9%) rarely formed special bonds with patients or their families; 233 (55%) believed that forming a special bond would increase the likelihood of their attendance. Showing respect to patients or their families was the most commonly perceived benefit of attending a funeral. Participants found expression of personal grief and caring for the patient at the end-of-life and beyond beneficial to themselves and the family. Fear of their attendance being misinterpreted or perceived as not warranted by the family as well as time restraints were barriers for their attendance. Most anaesthetists had never attended a patient's funeral. Few anaesthetists form close relationships with patients or their families. Respect, expression of grief and caring beyond life were perceived benefits of attendance. Families misinterpreting the purpose of attendance or not expecting their attendance and time restraints were commonly perceived barriers. Trial registration: ACTRN 12618000503224.

    Export Reference in RIS Format     

    Endnote

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format" and choose "open with... Endnote".

    Refworks

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format". Login to Refworks, go to References => Import References


    Collections
    • Minerva Elements Records [45770]
    • Surgery (Austin & Northern Health) - Research Publications [277]
    • Medicine and Radiology - Research Publications [2347]
    Minerva AccessDepositing Your Work (for University of Melbourne Staff and Students)NewsFAQs

    BrowseCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects
    My AccountLoginRegister
    StatisticsMost Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors