Objective:
Good bereavement care following pregnancy loss and perinatal death is essential. Healthcare professionals working in maternity need bereavement training and supports in place that educate them on how to care for both themselves and their patients when experiencing pregnancy loss or perinatal death. This allows them to both protect their own well-being and give compassionate patient-centred care.
This project is a scoping review of the bereavement care education and supports currently in place for maternity staff following pregnancy loss and perinatal death. The project will describe and compare the training and supports currently available in Ireland and other high income countries (HICs). It will examine who delivers bereavement care training and support, how it is delivered, who it is available to and will identify areas for development.
Background:
The national standards for bereavement care following pregnancy loss and perinatal death were developed in Ireland in 2016 as a response to a 2013 report that identified the need for bereavement care for perinatal death and pregnancy loss. These standards guide delivery of bereavement care following pregnancy loss or perinatal death in Ireland, promote development of bereavement care services and acknowledge the impact that perinatal death can have on staff.
Methods:
A scoping review will be conducted, following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guide. Searches of academic and scientific databases, grey literature and organisational websites will be conducted. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method studies will be considered alongside practice guidelines, educational workshops and other training resources. Data will be collected and presented via tables/ charts and narrative summary. This scoping review will map what is currently in place, identify any gaps in the evidence, and highlight potential resources that could be used in Ireland to support implementation of national standards for bereavement care.
