Perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of bereavement care in emergency department staff: a descriptive qualitative study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Bereavement care can alleviate the emotional distress that comes with the loss of a loved one. However, the current situation of bereavement care is not ideal in emergency department, and the lack of knowledge and skills of bereavement care among medical staff is considered to be one of the challenges in bereavement care. The aim of this study was to explore emergency department staff's perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of providing bereavement care for unexpected death patients and family members. Methods A qualitative descriptive design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between December 2022 and March 2023 with emergency department staff from three hospitals in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China, and the interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Finally, 15 emergency department staff were included. Three themes were identified from the interview results: perceptions of bereavement care, attitudes towards bereavement care, and care-centered bereavement care practices. Conclusion Emergency department staff providers have an incomplete understanding of bereavement care. Bereavement care for family members of unexpected death patients in emergency department is necessary but also has certain obstacles. In the emergency department, the education of emergency department staff should be strengthened and the behavior of bereavement care should be effectively guided.