Representation of the Concept of Death in Emergency Medicine Residents following Unsuccessful CPR Procedures

Introduction. In medicine, death is regarded as the total loss of vital functions. However, there is no universally accepted definition as global literature includes various terms for the concept drawn from a range of contexts. Objective. To explore how emergency medicine residents perceive death following unsuccessful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedures. Method. Qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study. Participants included five medical residents specializing in emergency medicine who attended patients receiving unsuccessful CPR. Data were obtained through the triangulation method using semi-structured individual interviews. Results. For medical residents, death constitutes a painful process associated with loss or departure. The experience elicits feelings of sadness, frustration, and helplessness in them. These feelings are more pronounced in the case of young patients, pregnant women, and children, subsequently manifesting in health problems. Discussion and conclusion. The concept of death shared by emergency medicine residents is primarily linked to biological aspects. Despite constant exposure to death, they remain sensitive to it, experiencing feelings such as helplessness, sadness, and frustration, which impact their life stories. Since these residents believe they lack the tools to cope with this situation, it is essential to offer them thanatological training to develop strategies for handling the death of their patients.