2nd Edition
Author(s): James Hallenbeck, MD
Grief is a normal response to loss, any loss: a job, a limb, a life. Clinicians have an important role in facilitating healthy grieving, and observing for signs of complicated grief. Grief experienced by dying patients and loved-ones prior to and in anticipation of death is called anticipatory grief (or mourning); grief of loved-ones following a death is termed bereavement.
Grief is a normal response to loss that involves processes and tasks at emotional, cognitive and behavioral levels. The initial shock of learning of impending or actual loss evolves into a process of creating a new relationship between the grieving person and the person (or object) of loss. Grief tends to be experienced in waves, triggered predictably by new losses (such as a loss of functional status) or unpredictably, by seemingly trivial events. Over time the intensity of these waves tends to decrease. Grief does not have a set schedule; individuals progress through the grief process at different speeds. However, no progress, getting stuck in one phase of grief, can be cause for concern. Anticipatory grief for patients involves reviewing one's life; for families/friends it means looking to a future without the dying person. Byock has suggested that patients and families may wish to say to each other, in some way, "Forgive me, I forgive you, thank you, I love you and good-bye." People from different cultural backgrounds may differ in terms of how and what they want to say or do in preparation for death. Not knowing or acknowledging that a person is dying will likely delay or interfere with normal anticipatory grief. (See Fast Fact #30, Prognostication) Grief reactions in dying patients may be confused with pain, depression and even imminent death (e.g. social withdrawal may imply pain, depression or anticipatory grief).
Note: Neither pain nor depression are normal aspects of the dying experience, they should be carefully evaluated as both are treatable (See Fast Fact #43). Grief tends to be experienced as sadness, whereas depression is associated with lack of self-worth. The question, "Are you sad or are you feeling depressed," may help begin a dialog to help you distinguish between grief and clinical depression.
What can the physician do to facilitate normal grieving
Be honest-be very honest when discussing prognosis, goals and treatment options; nothing inhibits normal anticipatory grief more than ambiguity from the physician. Listen-open the door to meaningful discussion, ask, "How are you doing with this recent news"; "are you scared", "tell me what is going through your mind". Ask for help---you are not the only health professional available to help with grief-contact a nurse, social worker, chaplain or psychologist/psychiatrist if you need assistance. Assess for and aggressively treat pain and depression.
Byock, I, The Four Things that Matter Most, Simon & Schuster, New York, 2004.
Markowitz AJ, Rabow MW. Caring for bereaved patients: "All the doctors just suddenly go". JAMA 2002;287(7):882.
Rando TA, Clinical Dimensions of Anticipatory Mourning, Research Press, Champaign, Il, 2000.
This Fast Fact was edited by David E. Weissman, MD; Palliative Care Center, Medical College of Wisconsin. For comments/questions write to: drosiell@mcw.edu. The complete set of Fast Facts is available at EPERC: www.eperc.mcw.edu
Copyright/Referencing Information: Users are free to download and distribute Fast Facts for educational purposes only. Citation for referencing: Hallenbeck, J. Fast Facts and Concepts #32: Grief and Bereavement, August 2005, 2nd Edition. End-of-Life Physician Education Resource Center www.eperc.mcw.edu.
Disclaimer: Fast Facts provide educational information, this information is not medical advice. Health care providers should exercise their own independent clinical judgment. Some Fast Fact information cites the use of a product in dosage, for an indication, or in a manner other than that recommended in the product labeling. Accordingly, the official prescribing information should be consulted before any such product is used.
Creation Date: 1/2001; August 2005, 2 nd Edition
Purpose: Instructional Aid, Self-Study Guide
Audience(s)
Training: Fellows, 1st/2nd Year Medical Students, 3rd/4th Year Medical Students,
PGY1 (Interns), PGY2-6, Physicians in Practice
Specialty: Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, General Internal
Medicine, Geriatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Neurology, OB/GYN, Ophthalmology, Pulmonary/Critical Care, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery Non-Physician: Clergy/Chaplains, General Public, Graduate Students, Lawyers, Patients/Families, Nurses, Social Workers
ACGME Competencies: Medical Knowledge, Patient Care
Keyword(s): psychosocial and spiritual experience, psychiatric disorders
Specific Disease and Organ System Category(s): Psychiatric Disorders