Jading in the pediatric intensive care unit: Implications for healthcare providers of medically complex children.

Publication/Presentation Date

5-1-2004

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the phenomenon of jading within the context of the pediatric intensive care unit.

DESIGN: Drawing from their experience, the authors describe and then discuss a clinical scenario readily recognizable by pediatric intensive care unit practitioners: a child whose care requires the expenditure of a large amount of energy and resources, provides seemingly little reward, and leads to jading of the PICU staff.

CONCLUSION: Jading describes a process of exhaustion whereby apathy, cynicism, and callousness replace the drive to be responsive, to make a difference, and to care. The issue of jading has become an increasing area of concern in the pediatric intensive care unit, due in part to recurring, prolonged admissions, combined with the perception, at times, that continued medical care is fruitless. With a better understanding of the phenomenon of jading, and by reconsidering their own responses, pediatric intensive care unit practitioners can avoid becoming jaded.

Volume

5

Issue

3

First Page

275

Last Page

277

ISSN

1529-7535

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

15115567

Department(s)

Fellows and Residents

Document Type

Article

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