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On the front line – Exploring how medical students on Emergency Medicine rotations experience sudden patient death

Harris-Skillman, R. (2024). On the front line – Exploring how medical students on Emergency Medicine rotations experience sudden patient death. (Unpublished Doctoral thesis, City St George’s, University of London)

Abstract

Medical training is consistently recognised for its challenging nature, and psychological distress within the medical student community is acutely apparent. This is compounded by underlying factors, such as; preparation and support deficits, and a culture that perpetuates MH stigma, unrealistic expectations, mistreatment and power disparities. Clinical placements are often significant pressure points for students, resulting in further problems. EM rotations are unique to other specialities, posing distinct difficulties, including a higher frequency of SPD’s which are especially impactful for students. Due to these issues, and their relative lack of experience, medical students may be particularly vulnerable in an EM setting. Despite this, there is limited knowledge about medical student’s experiences on EM rotations, and even less on their experiences of SPD whilst on EM rotation.

This research explores how medical students on EM rotation, experience SPD. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, from six participants who were current medical students, or recently qualified junior doctors, speaking in retrospect about their time as medical student. Following this, the data was analysed using IPA. Three GETs were identified and given the following titles: ‘Thrown in at the deep end’, ‘Paying the price of admission’ and ‘Managing the unimaginable’. These GET’s encapsulate participants subjective experiences of SPD on EM rotation, highlighting how they made sense of, were impacted by and managed this. The three GET’s are explored in detail and a discussion follows which considers the strengths, limitations and clinical implications of the study, including ideas for future research.

Publication Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Departments: School of Health & Medical Sciences > Psychology
School of Health & Medical Sciences > School of Health & Medical Sciences Doctoral Theses
Doctoral Theses
[thumbnail of Harris-Skillman thesis 2024 redacted PDF-A.pdf] Text - Accepted Version
This document is not freely accessible until 31 July 2028 due to copyright restrictions.

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