Attitudes of nurses toward perinatal bereavement: findings from a study in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
Nurses' attitudes toward perinatal bereavement care are explored by identifying profiles of nurses working in 2 obstetrics and gynecology units in Hong Kong. Relationships between nurses' attitudes toward bereavement supports, need for bereavement education, and hospital policy are explored.


METHODS
A descriptive, correlational survey design was used, and 169 nurses recruited from an obstetric and gynecology (ob-gyn) unit at 2 local public hospitals in Hong Kong completed a structured questionnaire.


METHODS
Attitudes toward perinatal bereavement support; required support and education needs for nurses on bereavement care.


RESULTS
Two-step cluster analysis yielded 2 clusters. Cluster 1 consisted of 55.6% (n = 94) and cluster 2 consisted of 44.3% (n = 75) of nurses. Cluster 2 nurses were younger and had less ob-gyn experience, more junior ranking, and less education than cluster 1 nurses. Cluster 1 nurses had additional midwifery and bereavement care education, personal grieving experiences, and experience handling grieving clients. The majority held positive bereavement care attitudes, but only 29.6% (n = 50) had bereavement-related education. Attitudes toward bereavement care were positively correlated with educational needs (r(s) = 0.52) and hospital policy support (r(s) = 0.56).


CONCLUSIONS
Hong Kong nurses emphasized the need for increased bereavement care knowledge and experience, improved communication skills, and greater hospital and team members' support. Findings may be used to improve support of nurses, to ensure sensitive bereavement care in perinatal settings, and to enhance nursing curricula. The desire of Hong Kong nurses for bereavement education highlights the universality of grief for a lost infant, regardless of cultural differences in approaching emotional topics. This study may help nurses in the United States and elsewhere gain a broader perspective in this area.
Chan
Moon Fai
MF
School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China. hsmfchan@inet.polyu.edu.hk
Wu
Lai Har
LH
Day
Mary Christine
MC
Chan
Suk Hing
SH
D000328:Adult; D001601:Bereavement; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007318:Inservice Training; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012944:Social Support