title: What bereavement follow-up does family members request in Japanese palliative care units? A qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is no standardized method by which bereavement care is offered by hospice/palliative care units (PCUs) in Japan.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate bereavement services provided by hospice/PCUs and clarify demands for bereavement care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative design based on semistructured interviews and content analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four bereaved family members of patients with cancer who died in 9 PCUs in 4 regions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Memorial services were positively evaluated for the following variables: reunion and interaction with staff; the service's relaxed atmosphere; staff attentiveness; suitable location; suitable timing; program content; and interaction with other bereaved families. Memorial cards were positively evaluated regarding the level of concern shown by the staff and the personalized card. Respondents indicated their desire for a care system, a bereaved family care program, and information services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Bunri University of Hospitality, Saitama, Japan rieko-muta@bunri-c.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Rieko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muta
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Makiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanjo
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Nursing, Health Sciences, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan.
authors.forename: Mitsunori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miyashita
authors.affiliation: Formerly of Department of Adult Nursing, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
authors.forename: Rieko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wakabayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult and Elderly Health Care Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Kobe City College of Nursing, Hyogo, Japan.
authors.forename: Etsuko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Palliative Care Team and Seirei Hospice, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsuneto
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Medicine, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006739:Hospital Administration; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Japan; bereaved families; bereavement; memorial service; palliative care; qualitative research