on how to deal with bereaved patients
In a recent article in the Journal of the lAmerican Medical Association, Yale researchers present an illustrative case and offer strategies for communication and caring for patients who have lost a loved one.
Medical training offers little guidance to physicians for caring for the grieving patient despite the fact that bereavement is associated with declines in health, inappropriate health service use and increased risk of death, note Holly G. Prigerson, associate professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the School of Medicine, and Dr. Selby C. Jacobs, professor of psychiatry and director of the Connecticut Mental Health Center.
In their article, the two examine the experience of a woman widowed for two years to illustrate distinctions between symptoms and outcomes of uncomplicated and complicated grief. They also recommend various approaches to physician interactions with bereaved patients and offer guidelines for professional intervention when necessary.
Their strategies include a list of appropriate things to say and not to say to a bereaved patient and reasons why. The authors suggest physicians ask, "Do you have any questions about the final illness and treatment?" because, they write, "Most bereaved are extremely interested to know about the events leading up to the death and many have unanswered questions that have bothered them. Providing a response may help to provide closure."
Physicians should not say, "You should work toward getting over this by now," because "Bereaved people never 'get over' their loss, but learn to live with it," write the authors. "Putting pressure on them to 'move on' is, in a sense, blaming them for their continued grief, may instill guilt and add to their concerns. If grief is prolonged, it may be time for a referral for expert help."
According to the authors, detection and treatment of psychiatric complications related to bereavement can prevent significant and costly health problems and enhance a physician's professional life.
-- By Karen Peart
T H I S
Bulletin Home
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Yale PREP to boost number of minorities in biomedicine
Study ranks Finland as No. 1 in environmental sustainability
Yale Engineering to mark its 150th anniversary
Yale Opera to present Mozart's fantastical tale 'The Magic Flute'
Yale and New Haven: Downtown News
ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPSPaul Freedman is named the Chester D. Tripp Professor
John Matthews is appointed the John M. Schiff Professor
IN FOCUS: Collection of Musical Instruments
Book's authors share perspectives on Sept. 11 and its aftermath
Three exhibits opening Feb. 11 at the School of Architecture
MEDICAL SCHOOL NEWSNine faculty members honored for their surgical skills
New Jersey school adopts 'Discovery Room' program . . .
Peptide linked to narcolepsy may offer key to controlling pain
Study underscores complex nature of schizophrenia
Study: When mental health clinics offer medical care, patients benefit
Findings show acupuncture alone not effective in treating addiction
Scientists find similar risk factors for early, advanced breast cancer
Noted science reporter to visit as Poynter Fellow
Kenyan environmentalist to teach as McCluskey Fellow
'Injustice' of lead poisoning to be explored in F&ES talk
Event to explore innovative approaches to the law
Eugene Davidson, former editor at Yale Press, dies
Memorial service for Louis Martz
Yale Dining Halls has been honored by industry magazine
Yale Books in Brief
Campus Notes
|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News|Bulletin Board
Yale Scoreboard|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs Home|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page