Thursday, August 31, 2006
Adult bereavement in five English hospices
Reid David, Field David, Payne Sheila, Relf Marilyn
Adult bereavement services in five English hospices: Participants, organisations and pre-bereavement support
International Journal of Palliative Nursing 2006 v12 no7 p320-327
This encompassed in-depth organisational case studies of five English hospices. It involved qualitative interviews, focus groups and scrutiny of documentary material at each of the five hospices. Both staff and bereaved people participated in the research.
All the hospices made contact with bereaved relatives or main carers shortly after the patient’s death. All provided some information on practical and emotional aspects of bereavement. There were no formal risk assessments but all had processes to identify people who might benefit from bereavement support. Pre-bereavement support and continuity between this and bereavement support were important aspects.
A major conclusion is that a clear and explicit rationale for bereavement support activities is a pre-requisite for the development of a cohesive and integrated programme of support to help resolve difficult decisions about individual bereaved people. Pre-bereavement support by hospice staff positively contributes to the person’s experience of bereavement. Hospices should address the issue of providing the appropriate level of bereavement support.
Adult bereavement services in five English hospices: Participants, organisations and pre-bereavement support
International Journal of Palliative Nursing 2006 v12 no7 p320-327
This encompassed in-depth organisational case studies of five English hospices. It involved qualitative interviews, focus groups and scrutiny of documentary material at each of the five hospices. Both staff and bereaved people participated in the research.
All the hospices made contact with bereaved relatives or main carers shortly after the patient’s death. All provided some information on practical and emotional aspects of bereavement. There were no formal risk assessments but all had processes to identify people who might benefit from bereavement support. Pre-bereavement support and continuity between this and bereavement support were important aspects.
A major conclusion is that a clear and explicit rationale for bereavement support activities is a pre-requisite for the development of a cohesive and integrated programme of support to help resolve difficult decisions about individual bereaved people. Pre-bereavement support by hospice staff positively contributes to the person’s experience of bereavement. Hospices should address the issue of providing the appropriate level of bereavement support.
