The emotional component of the attitude of the physician in situations of obstetric failure.

PURPOSE The research aim is to study the working attitude of a physician towards his patient with obstetric failures in the emotional component aspect. MATERIAL AND METHODS A sample of 164 gynecological doctors was encompassed by the study. The physicians were mainly interviewed during various types of training courses, specialist conventions and during personal meetings. A 44-question anonymous questionnaire was directed at gynecologists. The question was closed. The survey used for the research (in "ex post facto" procedure) matches quantity and quality elements. RESULTS Concerning the emotional aspect referred to the most difficult in the physician-- patient relation: 18% of the respondents stated they had positive feelings towards the patient, 16% had self-centred feelings and 1% had negative feelings towards the patient. Concerned the feelings of the doctor when the patient and her husband are in a situation of obstetric failure: 49% shared positive feelings in experiencing obstetric failure in patients, 38% concentrated on themselves and their own feelings and 4% gave a decided negative reply. Physicians' attitudes were measured in relation to the death of a patient: 52% related that experience very personally to themselves, 4% of the physicians referred to the death of their patient with a sense of great sorrow and 1% were negatively trying to put the blame on the deceased patient. CONCLUSIONS The most emotionally difficult obstetric failure in the doctor--patient relation was the death of a prenatal child; the most effective reaction to the sorrow of a mother after the loss of her child was support and bringing relief to the patient; 38% of gynecologists have not answered the question because of luck of such experience and because of the too difficult trauma experience.