Physicians’ and nurses’ exposure to child injury and death in emergency departments: implications for vicarious trauma and awareness for injury preventability

Background Preventable unintentional injuries are a leading cause of death, disability and hospitalisation for children worldwide. Researchers work with parents to understand their perspectives on children’s safety and to mitigate the likelihood of children being injured. While recent evidence suggests that exposure to injuries can heighten parents’ awareness for child safety threats, little is known on how occupational exposure to severe injuries and death, such as those witnessed in emergency departments by physicians and nurses, may shape parents’ emotional well-being and child safety perspectives. To address this gap in knowledge, we conducted semi-structured interviews with physicians (n=40) and nurses (n=16) across Canada with emergency room experience. Methods Our approach was informed by tenets of narrative inquiry and we conducted a thematic narrative analysis. Results We identified two themes: (1) ‘Moments you carry with you forever’: Exposure to severe child injuries and death results in declines in emotional well-being; and (2) ‘Where was the supervising parent?’: Exposure heightens awareness for preventable injuries. Discussion Exposure can result in physicians and nurses exercising more caution towards activities and environments that could result in their children experiencing similar injuries to their patients. Conclusion As a result of witnessing injuries and death, physicians and nurses can have declines in well-being, more awareness for safety threats, and they can feel frustration towards children experiencing injuries they perceive as preventable.