Grief and Loss During Care Transitions
Experiences of Direct Care Workers
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13629965 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Stephanie P Wladkowski (0000-0003-4697-1139, Eastern Michigan University, corresponding author), Nancy Kusmaul (0000-0003-2278-8495, Baccalaureate Socail Work Program, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Maryland, United States), Abigail L Latimer (0000-0002-5252-2199, University of Kentucky), Abigail Latimer (University of Kentucky) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 87 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 1308-1322 |
| Publication date | 2021-08-05 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/00302228211038797 |
| PMID | 34353171 |
| OpenAlex | W3190889318 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 22 |
Direct Care Workers (DCW) provide both personal care to patients and emotional support to patients and caregivers in hospice and palliative care. DCWs often develop close ties and are then expected to work with new clients immediately following a care transition, with little or no time to grieve. A qualitative pilot study (n = 24) was conducted to explore the experience of DCWs during care transitions. Data was collected via focus groups and individual interviews. Thematic analysis was used. Results suggest DCWs managed their experiences (n = 19), by anticipating and accepting grief and loss (n = 21), employing personal coping strategies (n = 19), and saying good-bye (n = 15). Relational factors impacted the experience of care transitions (n = 22), including building and maintaining the relationship (n = 14), and the strength of perceived connections (n = 15). Increased organizational support and training to help address grief and loss will better support DCWs and the direct care workforce
Burnout · Care work · Coping (psychology · Focus group · Grief · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Work (physics · Workforce · Clinical Psychology · Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Medicine · Nursing · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues · Psychology
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |