How to support grieving patients
Western Australian researchers have found general practitioners (GPs) are in urgent need of up to date training and support in how to deal with bereaved patients.
Lead researcher, Dr Moira O’Connor, says it is imperative GPs have access to information on approaches to bereavement care.
As part of the Curtin University study, GPs from Western Australia have been interviewed to explore their understanding of grief, when to intervene, when to refer to specialist mental health supports, and education needs.
The study finds that GPs have varied understandings of grief and are not sure whether their role included bereavement support, or if they should refer patients on for support.
Some GPs tend to think grief and depression are the same and some do not know where they can refer bereaved patients; most report no or very limited grief education in their medical training.
The research also reveals that some GPs have a limited awareness of recent grief research and tend not to draw upon everyday research findings to inform their work.
Lead researcher, Dr Moira O’Connor, senior research fellow from Curtin’s School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, says these opposing views demonstrate a lack of clarity and consistency to the provision of bereavement care among GPs.
“There is little doubt that GPs have a critical role in exploring distress, including grief, and many people turn to them frequently for support and advice following bereavement,” Dr O’Connor says.
“Even though GPs are well positioned to provide grief assistance to patients, or refer them to mental health professionals when appropriate, it is imperative they have access to information on approaches to bereavement care.
“If this does not occur, many GPs will continue to rely on out dated theories and understandings about grief, which may be detrimental to patients at a time when they truly need support.”
The results of the study recommend medical students receive training on how to support grieving patients, and those who are practising receive regular professional development in the arena.
“It is important that GPs have access to the latest information about grief so they can best support their bereaved patients. Without this education, some GPs will not realise the limitations of their expertise and will not be able to offer the best service and options for their patients, including referring them, if appropriate, to mental health specialists,” Dr O’Connor says.
The research, published in BMC Medical Education, can be accessed here.
