Codes, Loss, and Burnout: How do they impact us and our patients?

Background: Pediatricians are often exposed to emotionally difficult situations like patient deaths and codes; these may lead to significant grief and burnout. This may impair the ability of physicians to care for patients in a competent and compassionate manner (emotional exhaustion). These traumatic events may increase burnout rates, which has been reported to start in training. Objectives: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the degree to which pediatricians are immediately affected by patient deaths and codes, and the prevalence rates of burnout among attending physicians and trainees. Methods: …