title: Parental interest in a bereavement support visit when a child dies from cancer.
abstract: Parents who have experienced the death of a child from cancer have unique bereavement needs. This study evaluated the possibility of instituting a home-based bereavement visit from the oncology team following a child's death. Parents completed a brief anonymous questionnaire measuring preferences regarding visit logistics and content. The majority (84%) of the 31 participants agreed that a home-based bereavement program is desirable. Qualitative analysis of parental comments revealed common themes including processing grief, practical suggestions for visit, recognition of individual differences, perceived risks and benefits of visit, connections with medical staff, and unmet needs for support. In conclusion, a home visit program may satisfy needs for additional support while alleviating barriers to other types of bereavement care.
authors.affiliation: Hasbro Children's Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island, USA. Jwelch@lifespan.org
authors.forename: Jennifer Greene
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.forename: Margaret M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mannix
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boergers
authors.forename: Elissa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jelalian
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Hanae
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujii-Rios
authors.forename: Edwin N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Forman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001601:Bereavement; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult