Grief In Healthcare #2

Hearts called to care, Hearts pulled to grieve.

While certain clinical settings—such as palliative care, emergency medicine, or oncology—may anticipate grief as a routine aspect of care, it has a funny way of sneaking up on us at unexpected times and places. Factors affecting us could be due to previous personal or professional experiences.

We often hold ourselves to the expectation that compassion is the only emotion we should show in care. Yet it’s precisely our deep compassion that makes us exceptional professionals—and vulnerable to grief. We are driven by the desire to care, to connect, and to bear witness during life’s most tender and uncertain moments.

This week I challenge us to take a moment and be thankful for our time spent with individuals at the crossroads of their lives, whether it is the patient or family. I challenge you to honour your heart that cares deeply and have pride in your work. In the coming weeks, we will look at some factors that affect our processes and emotions.