Wiener Lori, Nautiyal Parinita, McAdams Stacey, Zoosman Mike
Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Palliat Support Care. 2024 Nov 5;23:e9. doi: 10.1017/S1478951524001457.
While caring for seriously ill children is a rewarding experience, pediatric healthcare providers may experience sadness and emotional distress when their patient dies. These feelings, particularly when not addressed, can lead to negative health and occupational outcomes. Remembrance practices can provide a safe space for staff to process their grief. This study explored pediatric healthcare providers' perceptions of an annual Pediatric Remembrance Ceremony (PRC) and a quarterly program, Good Grief and Chocolate at Noon (GGCN), to learn what components of the programs were considered meaningful and the personal impact on those who attended. The programs pivoted to a virtual platform during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the study also assessed providers' perspectives of attending the programs virtually.
A 19 multiple choice survey instrument was designed, reviewed, piloted, revised, and re-piloted by an interdisciplinary bereavement committee prior to administration. The survey included 2 open-ended questions, inviting additional insights into personal impact and future directions for remembrance programs. The survey was administered on an encrypted online platform.
Components of the PRC respondents most valued included the opportunity for staff to choose a name of a patient they cared for and to light a candle for that patient as their name is read. Those who participated in GGCN found story sharing helpful, along with having a speaker address a topic around loss and grief during the second half of the session. Both programs provided reflection, solidarity, and memorialization. Most respondents prefer having both in-person and virtual options.
Healthcare providers are affected by the death of the children they care for and value opportunities provided to join colleagues in remembering their patients. The findings underscore the value of remembrance programs in supporting bereaved staff.
虽然照顾重症儿童是一种有意义的经历，但儿科医疗服务提供者在其患者死亡时可能会感到悲伤和情绪困扰。这些感受，尤其是在未得到处理时，可能会导致负面的健康和职业后果。纪念活动可以为工作人员提供一个处理悲伤的安全空间。本研究探讨了儿科医疗服务提供者对年度儿科纪念仪式（PRC）和季度项目“午间悲伤与巧克力”（GGCN）的看法，以了解这些项目的哪些组成部分被认为是有意义的，以及对参加者的个人影响。在COVID-19大流行期间，这些项目转向了虚拟平台，该研究还评估了提供者对虚拟参加这些项目的看法。
在管理之前，一个跨学科的哀伤委员会设计、审查、试点、修订并重新试点了一份包含19个选择题的调查问卷。该调查包括2个开放式问题，邀请对个人影响和纪念项目的未来方向提供更多见解。该调查在一个加密的在线平台上进行。
PRC受访者最看重的组成部分包括工作人员有机会选择他们照顾过的一名患者的名字，并在念到该患者名字时为其点燃蜡烛。参加GGCN的人发现分享故事很有帮助，同时在会议后半段有一位演讲者围绕失落和悲伤主题进行演讲也很有帮助。这两个项目都提供了反思、团结和纪念。大多数受访者更喜欢既有面对面又有虚拟的选择。
医疗服务提供者会受到他们所照顾儿童死亡的影响，并重视提供与同事一起纪念患者的机会。这些发现强调了纪念项目在支持丧亲工作人员方面的价值。
