4 Steps to Strengthen Your Skills and Understanding of Death and Grief as a Health Professional

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A blog written by Helene Hipp, Tutor, Palliative and Supportive Care, College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Flinders University

 

Helene Hipp is passionate about education and grief counselling. She has worked as a bereavement counsellor in Queensland and South Australia, and as a long-term counsellor for a cancer support service. Helene tutors in the Flinders University palliative care program and leads bereavement workshops for community groups. Here Helene, who contributed extensively to the End-of-Life Essentials Bereavement Care Module, writes about death and grief.

In several decades as a grief and bereavement counsellor, and educator in palliative and cancer care, I’ve seen firsthand the struggles that both individual grievers and the health professionals supporting them face. Often there is a lack of clarity around what grief is, what it is not, and how best to provide support during these challenging times. If you are a health professional think about how you currently deal with a death and grief in your workplace. Do any of these feelings sound familiar?

• I feel like I haven't fully supported the patient and their family.
• I try to avoid it if I can. I can’t deal with strong emotions and don’t know what to do.
• I feel teary or sad, then feel guilty as that is not my role. I need to be detached and professional.

Know that you are not alone.

Grief can be an incredibly complex and emotional experience, not just for those who are directly affected, but for the professionals who care for them as well. The good news is that there are steps you can take to strengthen your skills and understanding in this area.

1. Know the signs and symptoms of grief, and recognise early signposts for potentially more complex grief

Not everyone is a trained grief counsellor, but anyone can learn to recognise and normalise grief symptoms. Understanding the signs - such as sadness, anger, confusion, or even physical symptoms - can help you support grieving individuals more effectively. Additionally, being able to identify early warning signs of potentially more complex grief is crucial. Complex grief might require specialised intervention, and your ability to spot it can make a significant difference in the outcome for those affected.

2. Identify and implement strategies that can lead to better outcomes

Supporting someone through grief doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. Simple, compassionate listening can provide immense comfort. When you take the time to listen, you’re offering a powerful form of support. It’s about creating a space where the grieving person feels heard and understood. Sometimes, that’s all they need to begin healing. Small actions, like acknowledging their pain and expressing your condolences, can have a big impact.

3. Investigate and reflect on your own experience of grief and loss both in the workplace and personally

Reflection is key to growth. By examining your own experiences of grief and loss, both personally and professionally, you can uncover potential biases or oversights in how you approach others who are grieving. This self-reflection not only enhances your ability to provide compassionate care but also helps safeguard your own well-being. Recognising your emotional responses and understanding how they influence your professional practice is crucial for maintaining quality care and avoiding burnout.

4. Identify appropriate supports which can be referral resources - both in your workplace and online.

Many workplaces have dedicated specialists who can assist with loss and grief such as pastoral care, bereavement counsellors, or social workers. Quality online resources are also readily available. Perhaps you could become the bereavement champion in your workplace and advocate for more education/training in this field so that all staff become more grief literate.

Grief is an inevitable part of life, and as health professionals, it's our responsibility to approach it with the understanding, compassion, and care it deserves. By strengthening your skills in this area, you not only improve the support you provide to others but also enrich your own professional practice and personal growth.

Learn more in the End-of-Life Essentials Bereavement Care Module.

 

Helene Hipp

Tutor, Palliative and Supportive Services

Flinders University