Loss, grief, and bereavement in family members of cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
To review loss, grief, and bereavement related to family caregivers of cancer patients during illness and after death, and to review interventions to enhance survivors' recovery after the patient's death.


METHODS
Review articles, research studies, book chapters, and data from authors' research.


CONCLUSIONS
Loss and grief can lead to positive outcomes in survivors of patients who have died of cancer. Conversely, negative bereavement outcomes may put survivors at risk for illness and even death.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses can provide interventions for family members that may positively influence physical health as well as recovery from bereavement. Outcomes research is needed to expand our understanding about how interventions affect survivors' recovery from bereavement.
Lev
E L
EL
College of Nursing, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Newark 07102, USA.
McCorkle
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D001601:Bereavement; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D003643:Death; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D009859:Oncology Nursing