Intensivist’s responses to potentially traumatic events: A qualitative study.

Abstract

Medical providers in the intensive care unit, also known as intensivists, are commonly exposed to potentially traumatic events. Yet, remarkably little is known about the impact of such exposures upon this group. The purpose of this study was to explore the emotional reactions of intensivists, working in either adult or pediatric clinical settings, to potentially traumatic events. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted face-to-face with intensivists from the United States, Australia, and Israel. Forty intensivists who had all experienced potentially traumatic events were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was performed. The three themes i..