Empowering Bereaved Parents Through the Development of a Comprehensive Bereavement Program

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Palliative Care
• Bereavement Support
• Grief Counseling

Background:

• Child loss profoundly impacts families, necessitating specialized support.
• Healthcare providers benefit from understanding bereaved parents' unique insights.
• Existing bereavement programs can be enhanced through parent collaboration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a parent-derived bereavement program developed at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
• To present early findings on the impact of specific program components.
• To highlight the value of parent-provider collaboration in grief support.

Main Methods:

• Development of a comprehensive bereavement program by pediatric palliative care experts and bereaved parents.
• Inclusion of clinical, supportive, and educational interventions throughout the grief journey.
• Facilitation of parent and family participation in research and quality improvement.

Main Results:

• Parents reported significant benefits from program services and interventions.
• Both parents and healthcare providers found educational interventions impactful.
• The program demonstrated positive effects on family support and professional experiences.

Conclusions:

• Parent-driven bereavement programs are effective in supporting families after a child's death.
• Collaboration between bereaved parents and healthcare providers is crucial for program development.
• This model offers a paradigm for pediatric, palliative oncology, and hospice/palliative medicine bereavement care.