title: Reported experiences of bereavement support in Western Australia: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article describes the pilot testing of a community survey to ascertain the experiences and needs of people who were bereaved 6-24 months before the survey. The pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the survey and test the theoretical public health model for bereavement support.
  
  
  METHODS
  A postal survey was used to collect information from clients of three funeral providers in Western Australia in 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings confirmed the feasibility and acceptability of the survey questions. The analysis of the demographic characteristics, experience of bereavement and satisfaction with support revealed differential needs that align with the expectation of low, moderate and high risk, as articulated in the public health model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data provided tentative empirical support for the public health model of bereavement support. This is the first empirical test of this model nationally and internationally.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the lack of evidence to guide development and allocation of bereavement programs in Australia, a larger survey will enable us to determine how the support needs of each of the three groups of bereaved people should be serviced. This is important for cost-effective and equitable resource allocation.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Samar M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Aoun
authors.forename: Lauren J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Breen
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rumbold
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Howting
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D001601:Bereavement; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: bereavement care; family carers; health services; palliative care; public health