Stories of bereavement: Examining medical students’ reflections on loss and grief

Stories of bereavement: Examining medical students’ reflections on loss and grief
Omega-Journal of Death and Dying; by Johanna Shapiro, Nicholas Freeman, Alexis Nguyen, Nancy Dang, Yasaman Lorkalantari; 12/24
Medical students in this study reported similar reactions to personal and professional loss, with some expected differences, such as students who experienced professional loss more often noting compassion for others and more frequently discussing managing the feelings of others, the importance of skill acquisition, processing personal emotions and team support. Students experiencing personal loss understandably appeared more focused on their own grief and more often commented about feelings of helplessness and numbness. Students in both groups reported little about how they coped with their grief or about receiving either informal or institutional support. The similarity of the essays, while due to many factors, may suggest internalizing pressures to conform to socially desirable narratives. Medical educators and clinical supervisors should help students develop effective coping skills in response to loss, provide better institutional support, and encourage students to tell authentic stories about their experiences of loss and grief.