So here we are again, beginning another new placement at a new facility. I’m currently on my paeds placement on an oncology ward. On previous placements, I’ve learnt to come to terms with the likelihood of death among some of the patients we’re treating, but this placement is different. Now it’s literally helpless, innocent children facing a high risk of the worst prognosis.
In the first week of being on this ward, there have been two deaths of children under the age of five who lost their battles with cancer. I hadn’t met either of these patients, but I saw the impact it had on the rest of the staff on the interdisciplinary team who had been treating these kids and it was pretty harsh. I felt such sorrow for the families and was quite affected by the news and I hadn’t even met the children – How will I react if one of my patients passes away? All my patient’s on this prac so far seem like remarkably courageous kids and I’m amazed at how the patients and their families cope with everything from accepting the diagnosis, to getting through all the radiation therapy and chemo, and then all the rehab that follows.
Death is an issue in a lot of areas of inpatient physiotherapy, but I say it’s more prominent in this area. I hope that I have the strength and professionalism to deal with all the issues appropriately and I think I should be able to manage this by focusing on tasks as they come up and approaching my supervisors for assistance as necessary. Any other tips on this sort of stuff are appreciated!
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Wow that's a really tough situation to deal with. I think that you have to make sure you keep looking on the bright side and remember all the great things that has occured in the placement. I don't really know the answer but I hope that the rest of your placement is ok :)
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