A questionnaire survey of family practice physicians' perceptions of bereavement care

Survey responses were obtained from 113 family physicians in an exploratory investigation of bereavement care by family physicians. Respondents generally indicated that they believed that bereavement presented significant health risks to their patients and that the identification and treatment of bereaved patients was an important part of their role. However, physicians were highly variable in how they reported identifying and responding to bereaved patients in terms of counseling, addressing spiritual concerns, and medically treating symptoms. The "grief-responsive" physician is described based on these data. We document the interest and need for training in bereavement care.