Sometimes doing nothing actually is doing something. Your presence alone can be helpful to survivors. Try to be comfortable with the family's discomfort. You can support survivors in their pain but removal of the pain is not within your abilities as a health professional. Do not hesitate to seek assistance from family, friends, clergy, and other professionals.
Emotional defenses are a natural reaction to a stressful situation.
Physicians should be conscious of their defenses and avoid actions that may harm survivors. If physicians feel angry because the death is due to abuse or neglect, it may be helpful to remember the limits of the physician's role. Health professionals have heard only one side of the history. Directing anger at the situation, but not at any individual, can avoid the possibility of great harm being done by placing guilt on the wrong person. A health team debriefing after a death can have many benefits.