title: A framework for conducting follow-up meetings with parents after a child's death in the pediatric intensive care unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a framework to assist pediatric intensive care unit physicians in conducting follow-up meetings with parents after their child's death. Many childhood deaths occur in pediatric intensive care units. Parents of children who die in pediatric intensive care units often desire a follow-up meeting with the physician(s) who cared for their child.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prior research conducted by the Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network on the experiences and perspectives of bereaved parents and pediatric intensive care unit physicians regarding the desirability, content, and conditions of follow-up meetings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The framework includes suggestions for inviting families to follow-up meetings (i.e., developing an institutional system, invitation timing, and format); preparing for the meeting (i.e., assessing family preferences; determining location, attendees, and discussion topics; reviewing medical and psychosocial history); structure of the meeting (i.e., opening, closing, and developing a meeting agenda); communicating effectively during the meeting; and follow-up for both parents and physicians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This framework is based on the experience and perspectives of bereaved parents and pediatric intensive care unit physicians. Future research should be conducted to determine the extent to which physician-parent follow-up meetings provide a benefit to parents, families, physicians, and other healthcare providers participating in these encounters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Wayne State University/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eggly
authors.forename: Kathleen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Meert
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: Kanwaljeet J S
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Anand
authors.forename: Christopher J L
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Newth
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carcillo
authors.forename: J Michael
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.forename: Douglas F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Willson
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nicholson
mesh_terms: D001601:Bereavement; D003142:Communication; D003643:Death; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010819:Physician's Role; D011368:Professional-Family Relations