"I Am a Quarterback": A Mixed-Methods Study of Death Investigators' Communication with Family Members of Young Sudden Cardiac Death Victims.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a leading global cause of mortality and is often attributable to heritable cardiac conditions in the young (aged 2-45 years). Death investigators are responsible for determining the cause of death and communicating the risk of heritable conditions with the families of victims. Families often struggle to comprehend this information. This study explores how death investigators communicate with families of young SCD victims who die from suspected heritable causes about the cause of death and their risk for SCD.

Methods

We conducted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study, collecting quantitative data, via a web-based survey, and qualitative data, via telephone interviews, to investigate how death investigators in Ontario and Nova S

SUBMITTER: Mason KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12925756 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature