Paramedic shares heart-breaking photo of ER doctor grieving after losing 19-year-old patient
'It was one of those calls we get sometimes that just hits you'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Hearing that a family member has died is such an awful and wrenching experience for the relative that it's easy to forget the emotional toll that must be taken by doctors sharing the news.
It was laid bare in a photo shared on Reddit this morning however, which shows a doctor stepping outside a hospital to collect his thoughts following the death of a young patient.
"The man pictured was unable to save one of his patients," the image's poster, who works as an EMT in California alongside a colleague who took the photo, explained.
"Though this is a common occurrence in our field of work, the patients we lose are typically old, sick, or some combination of the two. The patient that died was 19 years old, and for him, it was one of those calls we get sometimes that just hits you.
"Within a few minutes, the doctor stepped back inside, holding his head high again."
While a little voyeuristic, the photo is a reminder of the emotional rollercoaster ER doctors must go through every single day.
"When [my father] died, the doctors who were working on him at the UCSD Medical Center were crushed. I could definitely see it in their eyes. They called my house multiple times throughout the year to see how my family was doing. Doctors do not get the praise they deserve," one user wrote, while a fellow doctor shared their own experience of the death of patients.
"I know I'm speaking in general here, and I know that we aren't all the same, however when it comes to our work, nothing is harder - and I mean nothing - than telling a loved one that their family member is dead," they said.
"Give me a bloody airway to intubate. Give me the heroin addict who needed IV access yesterday but no-one can get an IV. Give me the child with anaphylaxis. But don't give me the unexpected death."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments