Post-Immediate Emotional Management of the Announcement of Bad News in the Hospital : Case of a Family Treated by an Emergency Psychological Intervention in EMDR Therapy in a Referral Hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa

Context The announcement of bad news is an art that often eludes doctors, despite its decisive impact on the acceptance of a diagnosis and adherence to care. When this announcement is poorly made, it can be traumatic and induce significant emotional crises in both the patient and their caregivers, which can manifest immediately or in the long term. The objective of this work is to present the impact of a psychological emergency intervention tool in managing acute emotional crises. Methods We conducted an interventional study with a family who experienced traumatic distress following the failure of their mother’s cataract surgery. Our convenience sample consisted of 4 participants. We administered standardized tests for immediate and post-intervention assessments. The intervention included individual therapy for the mother and group therapy for the children, incorporating various therapeutic techniques from Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Results The therapy sessions yielded positive outcomes, significantly reducing symptoms in family members. Participants reported feelings of relief, calmness, and clarity following the sessions. They felt more equipped to cope with the situation and had acquired effective tools for managing their emotions. Furthermore, the therapy facilitated improved communication within the family unit. A comparison of immediate and post-intervention assessment scores revealed a clinically significant decrease in symptoms of acute stress, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety. Conclusion This work underscores the crucial role of psychological support in crisis situations. The psychologist’s intervention, utilizing a range of therapeutic techniques, was instrumental in helping the family navigate a challenging experience and restore emotional equilibrium.