Episode 205: Family Presence during Resuscitation

Family presence during pediatric resuscitations remains a contentious issue in emergency medicine despite shifting guidelines that increasingly favor the practice. Pediatric Emergency Medicine expert Dr. Ellen Duncan highlights that healthcare provider acceptance varies wildly from 15% to 85%, often due to unsubstantiated fears regarding legal consequences, clinical interference, or family trauma. However, data suggests these concerns are largely unfounded, leading to the development of a new family presence facilitator curriculum designed to bridge gaps in institutional policy and formal training. The necessity of this approach is underscored by the long-term psychological impact on families, illustrated by Dr. Duncan’s personal account of her parents being barred from her brother’s final moments. Implementing structured support allows families to provide emotional comfort to the patient and gain closure, ensuring that no caregiver is left with the enduring grief of being excluded during a critical medical event.