A Bereavement Common Assessment Framework in Palliative Care: Informing Practice, Transforming Care

This article describes the development of a bereavement assessment framework for the Western Australia Country Health Service Palliative Care Services bereavement program. The framework is grounded in a clearly articulated evidence base, integrating research from the bereavement field that has informed the development of a standardized assessment framework referred to as the bereavement common assessment framework (B-CAF). The B-CAF identifies the many facets of experiences of the bereaved, creating a holistic and contextual assessment and providing professionals with a tool to enhance assessment and intervention practices. The palliative-curative model of care has also been reconceptualized to recognize that earlier interventions may mitigate adverse outcomes in bereavement. This framework may have implications for further research and service delivery of bereavement support programs.