A Family’s Quiet Vigil: Supporting Their Loved One Through a Sudden Health Crisis

Interview location: Family waiting area of the emergency room, a major hospital in Beijing

Date: March 26, 2023, evening

In the corner of the waiting area, a woman in her thirties sat with her family, waiting anxiously for news about her father. Their silence spoke volumes, prompting me to inquire about their hospital experience.

Q: Can you tell me about the patient’s condition?Interviewee:“My dad suddenly felt unwell and vomited blood the night before last. We rushed him here by ambulance. The doctors said it was serious and immediately categorized it as a high-priority emergency. He’s been undergoing various tests since he arrived, but they still can’t determine the cause. Many of the test results will take a week to come back, and he’s still not out of danger.”

As she spoke, she wiped away tears, and we both took a moment to absorb the gravity of the situation.

Q: Has your father been in the emergency room this whole time? Are you staying here with him?Interviewee:“Yes, the hospital requires a family member to wait outside the emergency room. The announcements you hear, like ‘Please have the family of XXX come to the emergency room,’ are usually just for picking up test results or making payments. They call quite frequently—every few minutes—so you really have to pay attention, as you might be called in at any moment. After we paid the deposit, the calls to enter decreased since they deduct the exam fees from that.”

Q: How has your experience been in this hospital’s emergency department?Interviewee:“Overall, it’s okay, but the attitude of the doctors and nurses isn’t great. They don’t ask clear questions about his symptoms and offer little explanation. It’s mostly just about taking the payment and handling the paperwork. We can’t accompany him into the rescue room, and there’s no visiting allowed. Even when we are called in, it’s just to pick up forms at a small counter. There’s no opportunity to go inside.”

Personal Reflection

I find it understandable that the family is experiencing anxiety and concern given the seriousness of the patient's condition and the uncertainty surrounding its cause. The hospital's policies—like no visiting in the emergency room and the frequent need to make payments—are likely established for various reasons. However, the interviewee’s feedback about poor communication and attitudes highlights a significant issue in patient care.

For family members, waiting 24 hours outside the emergency room is excruciating. Listening for announcements is a constant source of stress, as they have no way of knowing if they’re being called in for payment or if there’s a sudden change in their loved one’s condition. That door separating them from the emergency room could represent a final farewell. I sincerely hope for the patient's swift recovery and stability.