How do you cope when losing a patient?
As a general surgeon, there will be times when you will have patients that do not survive the surgery or will die in the hospital or after they are released. The interviewers want to hear that you have coping mechanisms to keep from becoming overwhelmed with the loss of life. It is essential for healthcare professionals to have someone they can speak with and have healthy avenues to decompress to prevent burnout, illness, and injury. Describe how you cope when you lose a patient.
"It is never easy losing a patient. As a physician, I got into this profession to help people, so it is sad to see them die. But I knew that was part of the job before going to medical school, so I have the mindset that patients will unfortunately not always make it. I cope by knowing I did the best I could for them. If a particular death bothers me more than others, I talk with colleagues, which always seems to help. I also take care of myself mentally and physically so the grief doesn't take control of my emotions."
