Combining regional expertise to form a bereavement support alliance

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Bereavement Care
• Professional Collaboration

Background:

• Compassionate bereavement care for perinatal loss is a standard in healthcare.
• A need for inter-institutional support among bereavement care providers was identified.
• Existing support structures were insufficient for addressing complex family needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the establishment and evolution of The Alliance of Perinatal Bereavement Support Facilitators.
• To highlight the Alliance's role in enhancing perinatal bereavement care practices and education.
• To present the Alliance as a replicable model for professional collaboration.

Main Methods:

• Formation of a regional support network initiated by Chicago-based healthcare staff.
• Development of Alliance activities focused on education, networking, policy, and recognition.
• Sustained collaboration drawing on collective member expertise over 25 years.

Main Results:

• Creation of a long-lasting, active, and sustainable organization.
• Enhanced practice, education, and direct care for families experiencing perinatal loss.
• Successful mentoring of interdisciplinary team members in bereavement support.

Conclusions:

• The Alliance model demonstrates effective interdisciplinary collaboration for specialized care.
• The organization's structure and activities provide a sustainable framework for improving perinatal bereavement support.
• The Alliance's development path offers valuable insights for professionals seeking to build similar support networks.