Loss and Bereavement
Level:
CPD
Duration:
3 hrs
Course code:
TD/2025/09045
Max group:
12
Support patients and families through loss and bereavement with compassion and care
Course Summary
Loss and Bereavement
This course is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to support individuals and families coping with loss and bereavement. Participants will learn about the emotional, psychological, and physical impacts of grief, explore the stages of bereavement, and develop effective communication strategies to provide compassionate care. The course covers practical approaches to supporting grieving patients and their families, as well as addressing the self-care needs of healthcare professionals involved in providing this sensitive care. Key Learning Objectives: Understand the Emotional and Psychological Impact of Loss: Explore the psychological stages of grief (e.g., denial, anger, acceptance). Recognise the emotional and physical symptoms of grief in patients and families. Recognise and Support Different Grieving Styles: Learn about different responses to bereavement based on cultural, personal, and situational factors. Identify how grief can manifest in individuals of all ages, including children, and elderly individuals. Communicate Effectively with Grieving Individuals and Families: Develop skills to offer empathetic, non-judgmental support during difficult conversations. Understand how to communicate sensitive news and provide bereavement support in a respectful manner. Support Families Through End-of-Life Care and After Death: Learn the role of healthcare providers in supporting families before and after a patient's death. Understand the importance of post-mortem care and supporting families with funeral and memorial planning. Practical Approaches to Bereavement Care: Develop care plans for grieving patients and their families. Learn how to refer patients to professional support services, such as grief counselling or bereavement groups. Address the Needs of Healthcare Professionals in Bereavement Care: Recognise the emotional impact of providing care to those in grief. Explore self-care strategies to cope with the emotional challenges faced by healthcare workers. Legal and Ethical Considerations in Bereavement Care: Understand the legal requirements for documenting death and communicating with families. Address confidentiality and ethical issues when supporting grieving families. Promote Long-Term Support for Grieving Individuals: Learn about follow-up care and long-term support options for families. Encourage ongoing conversations and provide continuity of care beyond immediate bereavement. By completing this course, healthcare professionals will gain the confidence to provide effective, compassionate, and sensitive support to individuals and families experiencing loss, enhancing the quality of care in end-of-life and bereavement situations.
Course Contents
Introduction to Loss and Bereavement
Overview of grief and bereavement in healthcare settings
Understanding the emotional, psychological, and physical impact of loss
The importance of supporting patients and families through the grieving process
The Stages of Grief and Bereavement
Understanding the Kubler-Ross model of the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance)
Grief reactions: normal vs. complicated grief Cultural, personal, and situational influences on the grieving process
Psychological and Emotional Responses to Grief Common emotional responses: sadness, guilt, anger, relief
The impact of grief on mental health and wellbeing
Coping mechanisms and resilience in the face of loss
The Role of Healthcare Professionals in Bereavement Care
Supporting patients through terminal illness and end-of-life care
Providing comfort and empathetic communication with dying patients and their families
Managing emotional responses of healthcare staff when dealing with bereavement
Effective Communication with Grieving
Individuals Techniques for compassionate communication during sensitive discussions
Providing clear and honest information about the prognosis and end-of-life options
Active listening, acknowledging feelings, and validating grief responses
Grief in Different Age Groups and Populations
Understanding grief in children, adolescents, and the elderly
Grieving in diverse cultural and religious contexts
Supporting families with varying needs and experiences of loss
Practical Approaches to Providing Bereavement Support
Creating an environment that fosters emotional support and care
Offering practical assistance with funeral arrangements and memorial services
Developing care plans for bereaved families, including referrals to counselling and support services
Addressing Healthcare Professionals’ Needs during bereavement
Understanding the emotional burden of caregiving in end-of-life and bereavement situations
Coping strategies for staff dealing with grief and loss
Promoting self-care and providing access to support resources for healthcare workers
Legal and Ethical Considerations in Bereavement Care
Legal aspects of death and bereavement: documentation, death certificates, and consent
Ethical dilemmas in end-of-life care: respecting patient autonomy, cultural differences, and family wishes
Confidentiality and privacy considerations when supporting families
Ongoing Support for Grieving Families
Providing continuity of care through follow-up visits or calls after the death
Referring families to professional grief counselling and support groups
Monitoring for signs of complicated grief and providing ongoing emotional support
Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios Exploring real-life cases to apply learned concepts in practical settings
Role-playing challenging conversations with grieving families
Group discussions on best practices and sharing experiences
Assessment
The instructor conducts a single written assessments at the end of the course. Upon successful completion, learners will receive a three-year Level 3 Award in Principles of Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Young People or Vulnerable Adults (Level 6 in Scotland). No external assessors are required for this qualification.
Duration
The course requires a minimum of 7 hours, distributed over the day. While it is ideal to complete the course in one day, we can adjust the schedule to suit your specific needs, as long as the course is completed within 3 weeks of starting and each training session lasts at least two hours.
Certification Validity
This qualification has no formal expiry, however regular CPD and updates are recommended.
Further Information - Course Numbers
A maximum of 12 students can be accommodated on this course and all candidates must be a minimum of 18 years of age to qualify.
Assessment method: Activities, test paper.
Pre-requisite: None
Suggested progression:
recommended refresher training and CPD;