Congress Abstracts 2003

22

GRIEF AND LOSS FOR PROFESSIONALS: PROVIDING A SHELTERING FORUM FOR EXPRESSION, FEEDBACK, AND VALIDATION THROUGH “STAFF GRIEF AND LOSS ROUNDS.” Susan Wintermeyer-Pingel, RN, MS, CS, Karen Hammelef, RN, MS, CS, Laura Siggens, RN, BSN, Jane Deering, MSW, Michelle Riba, MD, and Shannon Scott, ATRBC, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI.

Oncology professionals are routinely involved in helping patients and their families cope with the difficult issues surrounding a serious life-threatening illness. This process often involves walking with individuals during the most difficult times in their lives. As a result, these professionals face the enormous task of dealing with their own grief as well as the grief expressed by others. Most emerge as different people for having experienced this process. It is with this in mind that this NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center developed a grief and loss program to assist staff in dealing with this grief. The “Staff Grief and Loss Rounds” are coordinated by an advanced practice nurse in concert with other oncology professionals including individuals from psychiatry, social work, and art therapy. The monthly meetings are comprised of alternating open forums and educational sessions. Topics included: “Coping with Professional Grief through Art Therapy,” “Coping with Grief after the Loss of a Pediatric Patient,” “Cultural Issues Surrounding Grief and Loss,” a panel presentation “Discussing End-of-Life Issues with Patients and Families,” and a live butterfly release to celebrate transformations called “Sheltering Wings.” These rounds provide a safe shelter for staff by emphasizing sensitivity and respect for all participants. Through open discussion, these professionals obtain support from each other and learn from their peers. Implications for nursing include the provision of a mutually supportive environment that allows for sharing, reflection, and possible referral; the fostering of personal integrity and that of the team; and the validation of oncology professionals’ contributions to patient and family care.

This presentation will describe program design and implementation, the successes and challenges realized, ideas for future programs, as well as potential avenues for research.