Exploring Bereavement in Pediatric Nursing: A Systematic Review

Title

Exploring Bereavement in Pediatric Nursing: A Systematic Review

Creator

Athanasiou K; Vasilopoulos G; Stavropoulou MK; Pilikandrioti M; Dousis E

Publisher

International Journal of Caring Sciences

Date

2024

Subject

Attitude to Death; Bereavement; Communication; Health Personnel; PubMed; Pediatric Nursing; Nurse-Patient Relations; Human; Parental Attitudes; Child Mortality; Coping; Systematic Review; Psychosocial Factors; Therapeutic Alliance

Description

Introduction: The management of parent’s and family’s bereavement, before, during and after the death of a child is a great challenge for health care professionals (HCPs). Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate bereavement in pediatric nursing before, during and after the death of a child. Method: A systematic literature review was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Open Archives for the years 2013-2023. PRISMA methodology was followed for selection of the articles and PICOS method for the inclusion criteria of an article in the study. Results: Therapeutic relationship between HCPs and parents/families is reported as moderate to high. Parents mention several factors that negatively affect this relationship, such as lack of strategic assessment for the needs of the bereaved, lack of bereavement care provision usually after death and non-systematic bereavement care provision. Parents agree that follow-up parent meetings after child’s death are helpful and physicians seem more comfortable discussing child’s death. Parents report several needs related to grief management, caregiving, relationships with HCPs and decision-making. Conclusions: Effective communication among parents and HCPs, meaningful contact between HCPs, and the care and support of parents before and after the death of the child are done by HCPs. It is important for the farewell process parents learn how to take care of their child, essentially re-creating the parenting role, with HCPs directing the entire process of caring. After death, supportive relationship lets parents grieve, trying not to remain in prolonged grief, empowering them emotionally to create outlets, moving on in their lives with respect and dignity

Rights

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Citation List Month

July List 2024

Collection

Citation

Athanasiou K; Vasilopoulos G; Stavropoulou MK; Pilikandrioti M; Dousis E, “Exploring Bereavement in Pediatric Nursing: A Systematic Review,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed February 16, 2025, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/19647.