Reframing Resuscitation: From Termination to Withdrawal of Life Support with Darren Braude

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remains one of the most
emotionally complex and ethically challenging events in
pre-hospital care. Families can transition from normality to
devastating loss within minutes, while clinicians must make
rapid, high-stakes decisions that often leave a lasting emotional
impact. Traditionally, EMS practice has centred on the moment of
“termination of resuscitation”, a clinical decision that often
results in abrupt death notifications and limited family
involvement. But a growing body of work challenges this model,
suggesting that it may unintentionally amplify trauma for both
families and providers.


In today’s episode, we’re joined by Dr Darren Braude, Paramedic,
Director of the Centre for Prehospital Resuscitation and ECMO,
Chief of the Division of Prehospital, Austere and Disaster
Medicine. Dr Braude is one of the leading voices behind a
powerful reframing: viewing the end of resuscitative efforts not
as termination, but as the withdrawal of life support.


Borrowing principles from ICU end-of-life care, this approach
centres families, promotes clearer communication, and
acknowledges that CPR and ventilation are themselves forms of
life support. Today, we explore how this model can transform the
way EMS navigates death, grief, and humanity in the field. You
can read the article this interview is based on here:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40928306/





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