Bereaved relatives’ experiences in relation to post mortem: a qualitative exploration in North East Scotland

Stephen, Audrey I.; Leith, Valerie M. Sheach; Macduff, Colin; Christie, Sarah

doi:10.1080/02682621.2015.1108547

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Our study, similar to others, highlights that the sudden and unexpected nature of SCD often leads to numerous questions and the desire for answers, some of which cannot be obtained. 17,18,20,21 This can have a profound impact on families, including their ability to grieve and come to terms with the loss. 21 Neimeyer et al 22 have shown that individuals who are able to make sense of their loss seem to experience bereavement in a less complicated way than those who fail to receive answers to their questions, either existential or factual.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our finding that families' interactions with health care providers, including coroners, can shape their search for answers about their relative's cause of death is similar to other studies in this area. 17,18 A Scottish study exploring how bereaved relatives were supported, while deciding to authorize a post-mortem on their family member, found that participants had varying experiences of being informed about the process. 18 Unless the relative asked specific questions, in general, only information stating that the post-mortem investigation would occur was relayed by health care providers, which was challenging for some relatives and led to feelings of disillusionment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…17,18 A Scottish study exploring how bereaved relatives were supported, while deciding to authorize a post-mortem on their family member, found that participants had varying experiences of being informed about the process. 18 Unless the relative asked specific questions, in general, only information stating that the post-mortem investigation would occur was relayed by health care providers, which was challenging for some relatives and led to feelings of disillusionment. However, when participants felt supported by health care providers, who delivered information in a timely manner, they expressed more positive experiences receiving results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, when participants felt supported by health care providers, who delivered information in a timely manner, they expressed more positive experiences receiving results. 18,19 In our study, families who had clear and timely communication with health care providers and coroners, developed a more complete understanding of the situation, which allowed them to make informed decisions about what to do next, during an emotional and stressful time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“ It’s Overwhelming With the Grief” A Qualitative Study of Families’ Experiences When a Young Relative Dies of Sudden Cardiac Death

Allan

Mason

Garner³

et al. 2023

Circ: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes

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BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in younger individuals is frequently caused by heritable cardiac conditions. The unexpected nature of SCD leaves families with many unanswered questions and an insufficient understanding of the cause of death and their own risk for heritable disease. We explored the experiences of families of young SCD victims upon learning about their relative’s cause of death and how they perceive their own risk for heritable cardiac conditions. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study, by interviewing families of young (ages 12–45) SCD victims, who died between 2014 and 2018 from a heritable cardiac condition and were investigated by the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario, Canada. We used thematic analysis to analyze the transcripts. RESULTS: Between 2018 and 2020, we interviewed 19 family members, of which 10 were males and 9 were females, ages ranging from 21 to 65 (average 46.2±13.1). Four main themes were revealed, each representing a distinct time period that families experience along a trajectory: (1) interactions between bereaved family and others, in particular coroners, shaped their search for answers about their relative’s cause of death, with the types, formats, and timing of communication varying by case; (2) searching for answers and processing the cause of death; (3) incidental implications of the SCD event, such as financial strain and lifestyle changes contributed to cumulative stress; (4) receiving answers (or not) and moving forward. CONCLUSIONS: Families rely on communication with others, yet the type, formats, and timing of information received varies, which can influence families’ experiences of processing the death (and its cause), their perceived risk and their decision to pursue cascade screening. These results may provide key insights for the interprofessional health care team responsible for the delivery and communication of the cause of death to families of SCD victims.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“ It’s Overwhelming With the Grief” A Qualitative Study of Families’ Experiences When a Young Relative Dies of Sudden Cardiac Death

Allan

Mason

Garner³

et al. 2023

Circ: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes

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“…As well as the unfamiliarity of sudden death itself, relatives may encounter and interact with a range of professionals, including health and social care staff, police, and those whose responsibility is to investigate the death (Kristensen et al, 2012). Relatives may be unfamiliar with some professional roles and the processes and procedures that need to be carried out by, for example, paramedics, police liaison officers, coroner, and criminal justice services (NHS, 2018;Stephen et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The experience and support needs of adult family members who face a sudden adult death: A systematic review study

Stephen,

Baguley

2023

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This systematic review explored the experiences of adult family members with support from professional service providers when faced a sudden death of an adult family. The reviewers used Joanna Briggs Institute methods, tools and software. Database searches were carried out, including in ASSIA, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychArticles. These were supplemented with searches of e-thesis databases, and specialist law sites. Studies were identified for inclusion if they were qualitative, written in English and published between 1990 and December 2021. The review identified family members received support at the time of a sudden death from a range of sources. However, there are differences in timing and content and for some relatives, barriers to access and unmet needs. Experiences of support from professionals were varied and some had more positive outcomes than others. A relationship between the family member and the professional perceived as supportive led to benefits in relation to processing grief. While informal support and information is essential for relatives, anticipation of needs and appropriate responses require regulated professionals and organisations who encounter the bereaved to be visible, accessible, skilled and able to respond. It is recommended this is formalised in standards or protocols for support in relation to sudden death situations.

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Training in post-mortem pathology

Piletska,

Molinengo,

Nash

et al. 2023

Diagnostic Histopathology

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Bereaved relatives’ experiences in relation to post mortem: a qualitative exploration in North East Scotland

Cited by 4 publications

References 20 publications

“ It’s Overwhelming With the Grief” A Qualitative Study of Families’ Experiences When a Young Relative Dies of Sudden Cardiac Death

“ It’s Overwhelming With the Grief” A Qualitative Study of Families’ Experiences When a Young Relative Dies of Sudden Cardiac Death

The experience and support needs of adult family members who face a sudden adult death: A systematic review study

Training in post-mortem pathology

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