Author: Kathleen Jurgens
Jurgens, Kathleen, 2023 A cross-sectional survey of bereaved caregivers’ perspectives on preparedness, moving forward and impact of support from a palliative care bereavement service, including a scoping review of bereavement service descriptions., Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health
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As a clinician in the field of grief counselling, feedback from those who engaged with the service reported its benefit. However, some literature suggests that bereavement service-initiated contact is ineffective and that interventions are provided regardless of need. To reconcile these differing perspectives two studies were done. A scoping review examined how palliative bereavement services defined their purpose, method of service-initiated contact and assessment of need for grief interventions. Data from the cross-sectional survey investigated the impact of a palliative care bereavement service and participants sense of preparedness and insights into difficulties in moving forward. This thesis provides an original contribution to the field of palliative bereavement services through its examination of the influence of service-initiated contact and provision of information and measures the impact of grief counselling. Service-initiated provision of bereavement information and pathways to support provided a ‘safety net’. Results also provide further evidence on the importance of family members feeling prepared for the patient’s death.
Keywords: Bereavement, palliative care, caregivers, preparedness, grief counselling
Subject: Palliative Care thesis
Thesis type: Doctor of Philosophy
Completed: 2023
School: College of Medicine and Public Health
Supervisor: Professor David Currow