Bereaved parents' experience of support groups following perinatal bereavement: a thematic synthesis / L'expérience des parents endeuillés participant à des groupes de soutien après un deuil périnatal : une synthèse thématique

Support groups play an essential role in caring for parents experiencing perinatal death and bereavement. However, there is very little data on the effectiveness of these services on their well-being. To better understand the experience of bereaved parents using support group services, a qualitative systematic review was conducted using Thomas and Harden's method. Seven databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycARTICLES, Cairn, Érudit, and Repère) were searched in October 2017 with an update in June 2021. A total of 16 studies were included and critically evaluated. The thematic synthesis made it possible to generate four analytical themes to describe parents' experience according to the notion of spaces. The first theme refers to external space, i.e., the format of the support groups (virtual or face-to-face), and the other three themes reflect internal spaces, i.e., the functions of the groups (support, expression, and learning). This thematic synthesis confirms that participating in support groups benefits bereaved parents. It also offers possible solutions to improve the structure and accessibility of support groups.

Les groupes de soutien jouent un rôle essentiel dans les soins dispensés aux parents lors d'un deuil périnatal. Or il existe très peu de données à l'égard de l'efficacité de ces services sur leur bien-être. Pour mieux comprendre l'expérience des parents endeuillés utilisant les services de groupe de soutien, une revue systématique qualitative a été réalisée selon la méthode de Thomas et Harden. Sept bases de données (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, PsysARTICLES, Cairn, Érudit et Repère) ont été consultées en octobre 2017 avec une mise à jour en juin 2021. Au total, 16 études ont été incluses et évaluées de manière critique. La synthèse thématique a permis de générer quatre thèmes analytiques pour décrire l'expérience des parents selon la notion d'espaces. Le premier thème renvoie à l'espace externe, soit au format des groupes (virtuel ou en présentiel), et les trois autres thèmes reflètent les espaces internes, soit les fonctions des groupes (soutien, expression et apprentissage). Cette synthèse thématique confirme que la participation à des groupes de soutien apporte des bienfaits aux parents endeuillés. Elle offre également des pistes de solutions pour améliorer la structure et l'accessibilité des groupes de soutien.

Workplace experience of parents coping with perinatal loss: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal loss affects many parents in the workforce. Yet, current knowledge about their workplace experience while facing this difficult event is sparse. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to review and synthesize the extent of scientific literature on the specific experiences of workers coping with perinatal loss and the resulting bereavement. METHODS: A scoping review was carried out using eight different databases. A total of 15 references, all using a qualitative methodology, were identified. RESULTS: Most of the references focused on the experience of mothers and on late perinatal loss (from the 20th week of pregnancy). All references highlighted the taboo and the non-recognition of perinatal grief and bereavement in both organizational practices and interpersonal relationships with colleagues and immediate supervisors. They also emphasized the difficulties associated with returning to work after the loss and the significant changes in the meaning attributed to work. CONCLUSIONS: While the studies included in this review clearly indicate that perinatal loss can affect working life, larger, quantitative studies are needed to quantify this phenomenon and its impact on employees and their organizations.

Creating a space to talk about one's experience of suffering: families' experience of a family nursing intervention.

STUDY RATIONALE: The impacts of health problems on individual and family functioning, as well as the influence of family on health, are well documented. However, health care and services in the West are mostly oriented towards individuals, and the needs of families often receive little consideration. The Family Support Service (FSS) was developed to address this situation. Its aim is to improve the education of nursing students and contribute to the health of the community by offering family conversations to families whose members have a health problem or who have difficulty adjusting to certain transitions. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to explore families' experience of the family conversations in which they participated and their satisfaction with the FSS. METHODOLOGICAL DESIGN AND JUSTIFICATION: This study used a descriptive qualitative design based on semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. The study followed ethical codes of conduct and conformed to the Canadian Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS). RESEARCH METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 participants who had participated in family conversations as interventions, to evaluate their experience of those family conversations and their satisfaction with the FSS. RESULTS: The families reported a very positive experience of the family conversations. Three themes emerged from their statements and explained this satisfaction: (i) the nurse's attitudes and skills as the foundation for meaningful encounters; (ii) a family systems intervention where families feel recognised; and (iii) a structure adapted to the needs of families. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the existing body of knowledge on families' experience of family system nursing and invites nurses to develop attitudes that are conducive to meaningful encounters with families.