A standardized approach to bereavement risk-screening: a quality improvement project. Issue 4 (3rd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Morris, Sue E.; Anderson, Courtney M.; Tarquini, Sarah J.; Block, Susan D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychosocial oncology. Volume 38:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 406
• Page End: 417
• Publication Date: 2020-07-03
• Subjects: Bereavement -- Palliative care -- risk-screening -- quality improvement -- prevention -- bereavement programs; Cancer -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 362.196994
• DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2019.1703065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0734-7332

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Identifying family members at-risk of poor bereavement outcomes poses a challenge for clinicians, resulting in inconsistent bereavement follow-up. The current quality improvement study tests a method for identification of at-risk family members, and describes follow-up they received from the bereavement service at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Design: A standardized bereavement risk assessment, referral and follow-up process was piloted as part of a quality improvement project using a plan-do-study-act approach (PDSA). Methods: A convenience sample of eleven clinical social workers completed paper and pencil bereavement risk-screening assessments using the Bereavement Risk-Screening Tool (BRST) on a sample of bereaved family members known to them. The results of the BRST were passed onto the bereavement program for follow-up. Findings: Eleven out of a total of 17 social workers participated in the study. Social workers screened 100% (52/52) of identified bereaved family members, corresponding to 52 patient deaths. Approximately half (28/52) were identified as being 'at-risk' of a poor bereavement outcome based on the social worker's consideration of the presence of potential risk-factors and their response to a prediction-type question about the bereaved individual's future coping. 'Lack of preparation for the death', 'unexpected death within the context of an illness' and 'witnessing a difficult death' were the most commonly identified risk factors. Of those individuals who were identified to be 'at-risk', 89% received an outreach attempt by telephone from the director of bereavement services, surpassing our project target of 80%. Conclusions: The BRST has the potential to help clinicians in health care settings identify those family members who might be considered at heightened risk of a poor bereavement outcome, facilitating early outreach and recommendations for support. The tool was easy to complete and helped streamline the referral process to the bereavement program.