‘Patient death really changes your emotional make-up’: the effects of patient death and dying on speech therapists’ and audiologists’ practice and well-being

ABSTRACT Speech therapists and audiologists (ST&As) may encounter patient death and dying in their professional practice. However, there appears to be a dearth of research internationally and in South Africa regarding the potential of impact of these experiences on their professional performance and personal well-being. This paper aims to provide insight into the potential influence, and mitigation strategies, of patient death and dying on ST&As’ professional practice and personal well-being. Utilizing a qualitative research inquiry and analysis, 25 ST&As were interviewed to obtain insight into their experiences of patient death and dying and their interviews were transcribed and underwent narrative thematic analysis. The results suggest that ST&As experienced feelings marked by guilt, despondence, fear, avoidance, and emotional exhaustion. To alleviate these negative emotions, participants employed self-talk, engaged in physical activities, took leave of absence from work, and balanced their personal and professional lives to maintain their professional practice. Some of the ST&As sought support from healthcare professionals who they worked with, and they formally debriefed with counsellors, if it was a work requirement. By participants embracing caring concepts into their professional practice and personal well-being, it resulted in them experiencing negative emotions in instances of patient death and dying. However, receiving professional training on patient death and dying and social and organizational support and engaging in self-care practices in these instances, may mitigate these negative emotions.