Related Experiment Videos
Summary
The Whispers of Hope Bereavement Program supports families after a child's death through telephone calls, letters, and remembrance events. This family-centered program demonstrates high satisfaction among bereaved families.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Palliative Care
- Bereavement Support Services
- Family Systems Psychology
Background:
- Child death represents a profound loss, necessitating specialized support for grieving families.
- Existing grief processes can be challenging and require structured interventions.
- Comprehensive bereavement programs are crucial for family well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the structure and components of the Whispers of Hope Bereavement Program.
- To highlight the family-centered approach of the program.
- To present initial findings on program satisfaction and cost-effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- The Whispers of Hope Bereavement Program utilizes periodic telephone contacts, educational letters, and an annual Day of Remembrance.
- Program coordination is managed collaboratively by a bereaved parent, clinical nurse specialist, and chaplain.
- A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted, estimating costs per family per year.
Main Results:
- Program evaluation indicates a high level of satisfaction among participating families.
- The program is cost-effective, with annual costs under $20.00 per family.
- The collaborative, multi-disciplinary coordination model is effective.
Conclusions:
- The Whispers of Hope Bereavement Program offers a valuable, family-centered approach to supporting families after a child's death.
- The program is both effective in terms of family satisfaction and economically viable.
- This model of bereavement support can be adapted for other institutions.