Document 1980
 DOCN  M94A1980
 TI    A psycho/social/spiritual response to staff bereavement: a memorial
       gathering.
 DT    9412
 AU    Bonnar A; Leeks K; Tsoukas C; Department of Pastoral Services, Montreal
       General Hospital,; Quebec, Canada.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):408 (abstract no. PD0240). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370595
 AB    BACKGROUND: The alarming increase in mortality rates seen in the 2nd
       decade of the AIDS epidemic has placed bereavement issues in the
       forefront at centers caring for AIDS patients. OBJECTIVE. To develop a
       psycho/social/spiritual model responding to death related issues and
       staff bereavement. METHODS: The IDTC offers comprehensive HIV care at an
       integrated single site and consists of a multidisciplinary team of 26
       health care professionals caring for over 1000 HIV infected persons. The
       annual mortality rate at the IDTC rose by 85% between 1992 and 1994.
       Because of this, a 2 part bi-monthly memorial gathering was developed
       through the collaboration of the chaplain, social worker and
       psychiatrist. Part 1, was a thematic memorial service based upon broad
       spiritual values. IDTC staff participated in choosing the music,
       readings and use of symbols. Part 2, was a luncheon for staff and
       families to facilitate interactions. Eight gatherings commemorated 113
       patients. The purpose, structure and composition of the model is based
       on this population. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The memorial gathering,
       expanded to encompass families and other hospital staff, experienced an
       eleven fold increase in attendance and increased staff participation in
       the service (N = 4 in 1992; N = 45 in 1994). Based upon the common
       ground of grief, the gathering provided a safe place for IDTC staff to
       share bereavement among colleagues/families. This is now an ongoing part
       of the centre regular activities and has responded to other critical
       needs: family isolation and HIV awareness/education. This program can
       serve as a model to deal with bereavement in similar settings.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/MORTALITY/*THERAPY  *Attitude to
       Death  *Bereavement  Human  HIV Infections/MORTALITY/*THERAPY  *Pastoral
       Care  Patient Care Team  Personnel, Hospital/*PSYCHOLOGY  Quebec  Social
       Support  MEETING ABSTRACT

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