Jun 25, 2020
This episode features Dr Emily Harrop (Marie Curie Research Centre, Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK).
The support needs of people experiencing bereavement vary
significantly. Bereavement support in palliative care involves
different types and levels of provision to accommodate these needs.
Specialist grief therapy is known to be effective for those with
high-level risk and needs.
Bereavement interventions were wide ranging and included
bereavement support and social groups, psychological and
counselling interventions and other types of support such as
arts-based, befriending and relaxation interventions.
Good quality randomised controlled trial evidence was only
available for targeted family therapy and a non-targeted
group–based therapy intervention, both of which were
introduced during the caregiving period and found to be partially
effective.
The synthesis of qualitative evidence identified three core impacts
which were common across interventions: ‘loss and grief
resolution’, ‘sense of mastery and moving ahead’ and ‘social
support’.
The qualitative evidence suggests the value of peer support
alongside opportunities for reflection, emotional expression and
restoration-focused activities for those with moderate-level
needs.
These findings suggest the relevance of resilience and public
health–based approaches to bereavement care.
Full paper available from:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0269216320920533
If you would like to record a podcast about your published (or
accepted) Palliative Medicine paper, please contact
Dr Amara Nwosu:
a.nwosu@lancaster.ac.uk