Bereavement care for ethnic minority communities: A systematic review of access to, models of, outcomes from, and satisfaction with, service provision

A Systematic Review of International Bereavement Models of Care and Implementation Barriers and Facilitators

Bereavement care can facilitate adjustment to death and reduce immediate distress and long-term morbidity, mortality and health service utilisation. This systematic review aimed to identify international models of bereavement care, and barriers and facilitators to implementing such models. A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO identified 64 studies for inclusion. The most common forms of bereavement support were bereavement packs, memory-making activities, condolence cards, memorial services, and follow-up contact. Only 14 models included a formal assessment of complex grief, and 17 studies considered culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Barriers included lack of institutional/financial support, staff discomfort delivering care, lack of dedicated staffing, and difficulty collecting/maintaining information. Facilitators were adequate funding/infrastructure, formal protocols/procedures, dedicated staffing, and staff training and support. Future research should address bereavement models of care in settings beyond palliative care, considering culturally and linguistically diverse populations, and should provide implementation data and strategies.

A rapid review of the evidence for online interventions for bereavement support

BACKGROUND

Grieving is a natural process, and many people adjust with support from family and friends. Around 40% of people would benefit from additional input. Online bereavement support interventions may increase access to support. Evidence regarding their acceptability and effectiveness is emerging but needs to be synthesised.

AIM

To synthesise evidence on the feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, impacts and implementation of online interventions to improve wellbeing, coping and quality of life after bereavement.

DESIGN

A rapid review of evidence regarding online bereavement support. We appraised study quality using AMSTAR 2 and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

DATA SOURCES

English language articles published 1 January 2010 to 4 January 2024, using Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase and APA PsycINFO. Eligible articles examined formal and informal online interventions to improve bereavement outcomes.

RESULTS

We screened 2050 articles by title and abstract. Four systematic reviews and 35 individual studies were included. Online bereavement support was feasible, acceptable and effective in reducing grief intensity, stress-related outcomes and depression. Where reported, participant retention was typically >70%. Positive impacts included: access to a supportive community at any time, reduced isolation; opportunities to process feelings; normalisation of loss responses; access to coping advice and opportunities for meaning-making and remembrance. Negative impacts included upset due to insensitive comments from others via unmoderated online forums.

CONCLUSION

Online interventions can widen access to acceptable, effective bereavement support and improve outcomes for bereaved people. National policies and clinical guidelines relating to bereavement support need to be updated to take account of online formats.

Qualitative Bereavement Experiences and Support in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Scoping Review

This scoping review examines qualitative studies on bereavement experiences and support mechanisms for community-dwelling older adults. This area of research is especially timely given rapid population aging and the interplay of heightened vulnerability, cumulative losses, shrinking support systems, and the critical need for bereavement support. Such support not only acts as a preventative health measure but can also serve as a catalyst for fostering meaning-making and navigating grief in later life. Through a scoping search and synthesis of relevant qualitative studies (n = 24), the findings reveal four key themes: the impact of grief on wellbeing, grief perceived as an individual issue, challenges in seeking and receiving support, and positive support experiences and transformations. Knowledge gaps, trends and issues, and areas for further investigation are also highlighted. This discussion contributes to developing targeted bereavement support strategies for community-dwelling older adults.

Exploratory study from an end-of-life research partnership network to improve access for ethnically diverse communities in one region

Background

Minority ethnic patients are less likely to access timely and effective palliative and end-of-life care and, as a consequence, more likely to experience poorer symptom management and receive more intensive treatments at the end of life. Research activity has the potential to address the aforementioned barriers to improve access. However, there is a need to develop capacity and capability, particularly within underserved communities, to provide an infrastructure that can drive research activity informed by the community to benefit the community.

Objective

To build and develop a robust, inclusive and representative research partnership to facilitate improved research activity committed to addressing inequity in access to palliative and end-of-life care among ethnically diverse communities.

Design

An inclusive and representative KEEch research Partnership NETwork was established, comprised over 80 partner organisations that represent the local diverse and multifaith communities. Interviews (n = 11) with service providers and face-to-face roundtable workshops with community stakeholders, service providers, informal carers and faith leaders were conducted to understand needs, challenges and research priorities.

Setting

Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.

Results

Developing KEEch research Partnership NETwork required a flexible and agile approach to engage effectively with institutionalised and non-institutionalised stakeholders. Sharing a joint purpose of learning, managing partners' expectations and providing transparency and accountability within the network were all essential in building trust and equity within the research partnership. The overarching findings revealed a range of sociocultural and structural barriers that negatively impact access and experience among minority ethnic groups. Discussions centred on the disconnect between informal care and support within the community, which many ethnic minority communities rely upon, and 'institutional' medical services. KEEch research Partnership NETwork uncovered that while service providers and communities acknowledge they need to engage with each other more, they remain uncertain of the best way to achieve this. There was also consensus that services need to deliver more effective, culturally competent, person-centric care that promotes compassion and gives weight to non-medical needs to better meet the needs of the diverse population. These findings and priorities have informed the submission of a co-produced research funding proposal. Beyond that, KEEch research Partnership NETwork has also provided a platform for further unplanned spin-off research projects and collaboration, including the implementation of an innovative 'community connector' role to facilitate better integration of community and voluntary services in palliative and end-of-life care.

Conclusions

KEEch research Partnership NETwork has provided valuable insight into factors that can facilitate the successful collaboration between multifaith and diverse community stakeholders. Through KEEch research Partnership NETwork, we offer our observations as an opportunity for shared learning for others who want to adopt a similar approach when in the planning stages of establishing a research partnership network. The mutual benefit of developing this partnership and working collectively with communities to address inequalities in accessing palliative and end-of-life care could provide a useful approach and way of solving other important priorities to reduce wider health inequalities.

Funding

This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research as award number NIHR135381.

Paper 6: engaging racially and ethnically diverse interest holders in evidence syntheses

OBJECTIVES

To inform methods for centering racial health equity in syntheses, we explored (1) how syntheses that assess health-related interventions and explicitly address racial health inequities have engaged interest holders and (2) guidance for engaging racially and ethnically diverse interest holders.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

We systematically identified evidence syntheses (searches limited to January 1, 2020, through January 25, 2023) and guidance documents (no search date limits) for this overview. From syntheses we extracted data on engagement rationale and processes and extracted approaches suggested from guidance documents. We summarized findings qualitatively.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine of the 157 (18%) eligible syntheses reported using engagement. Syntheses typically lacked robust detail on why and how to use and structure engagement and outcomes/effects of engagement, though syntheses involving Indigenous populations typically included more detail. When reported, engagement typically occurred in early and later synthesis phases. We did not identify guidance documents that specifically intended to provide guidance for engaging racially/ethnically diverse individuals in syntheses; some related guidance described broader equity considerations or engagement in general.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights gaps in understanding of the use of engagement in racial health equity-focused syntheses and in guidance specifically addressing engaging racially and ethnically diverse populations. Syntheses and guidance materials we identified reported limited data addressing the whys, hows, and whats (ie, rationale for, approaches to, resources needed and effects of) of engagement, and we lack information for understanding whether engagement makes a difference to the conduct and findings of syntheses and when and how engagement of specific populations may contribute to centering racial health equity. A more informed understanding of these issues, facilitated by prospective and retrospective descriptions of engagement of diverse interest holders, may help advance actionable guidance and reviews.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

We identified evidence syntheses (a kind of research that identifies and summarizes findings of individual studies or publications to address research questions) that looked at studies of interventions to improve differences in effects on health for racial or ethnic populations to see (1) if and how they incorporated perspectives of interest holders, people with an interest in the subject being studied; (2) what guidance for how to engage or involve racially or ethnically diverse interest holders exists. We found that 29 of 157 syntheses addressing interventions to improve differences in effects on health reported involving interest holders but typically did not provide much detail about how to involve people. Syntheses that involved Indigenous people usually had more information, but overall, the syntheses did not have much information about how to involve people and what the impact of involving them may be. We did not find guidance information that specifically set out to provide information about engaging racially/ethnically diverse individuals in syntheses; some related guidance described considerations about involving people in syntheses in general. This review highlights gaps in understanding of how to engage people in racial health equity-focused syntheses and in guidance specifically addressing engaging racially and ethnically diverse populations. Syntheses and guidance materials we identified reported limited information about whys, hows, and whats (ie, reasons to use, how to do, and resources needed and effects of) related to engagement, and we lack information to help understand whether engagement makes a difference in doing syntheses and when and how engagement of specific populations may help to address racial health equity.

Community engagement in a seaside town: evaluation of Good Grief Weston festival

Background

Festivals play an important role in improving death and grief literacy, enabling members of the public to engage with these often-sensitive topics. Good Grief Weston festival was co-designed and delivered with the community in Weston-super-Mare, a coastal town in South-West England with high levels of socioeconomic disadvantage but rich community assets. It was held in person over 8 days in May 2023.

Objectives

To evaluate the reach and impact of Good Grief Weston festival and gather data to inform future festivals.

Design

Mixed methods evaluation (survey and focus groups).

Methods

Online and paper surveys assessing participants' characteristics and experiences were administrated during and after the festival. Survey participants who indicated their willingness to participate were invited to attend a focus group. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Data were collected by trained community co-researchers.

Results

Approximately 3000 people attended the festival. Of 204 completed surveys, 64.5% were from women, age range ⩽15 to ⩾75 years; 88.2% identified as White; 14.9% deaf, disabled/with a chronic condition; 18.9% neurodivergent; 9.0% gay, bisexual or queer. Festival participants were entertained (70.9%), inspired (68.5%), felt part of a like-minded community (54.3%), talked to someone new (49.2%), learnt about grief/bereavement (34.3%), shared or expressed experiences (30.3%) and found out about local support (19.7%). 71.3% reported that they felt more confident talking about grief after attending. Median experience rating was 5 (IQR 0; possible range 1 = poor to 5 = excellent). In free-text comments, participants expressed appreciation for the festival and described benefits in attending. Two focus groups were conducted (n = 8 participants, all women), lasting c.1.5 h. Focus groups added rich descriptions of the festival's value, and data to inform the next festival.

Conclusion

Findings suggest festivals of this nature can play a central role in a public health approach.

Engaging and supporting the public on the topic of grief and bereavement: an evaluation of Good Grief Festival

Background

Good Grief Festival was originally planned as a face-to-face festival about grief and bereavement. Due to COVID-19, it was held online over 3 days in October 2020.

Objective

To evaluate the festival's reach and impact.

Design

Pre/post evaluation.

Methods

Pre-festival online surveys assessed reasons for attending and attitudes to bereavement across four items (fear of saying the wrong thing, avoiding talking to someone bereaved, knowing what to do if someone bereaved was struggling, knowing how to help). Post-festival online surveys evaluated audience experiences and the four attitude items. Free-text responses, analysed using thematic analysis, generated suggestions for improvement and general comments.

Results

Between 5003 and 6438 people attended, with most attending two to five events. Pre-festival survey participants (n = 3785) were mostly women (91%) and White (91%). About 9% were from Black or minoritised ethnic communities. About 14% were age ⩾65 years, 16% age ⩽34 years. Around 75% were members of the public, teachers, students or 'other'; 25% academics, clinicians or bereavement counsellors. A third had been bereaved in the last year; 6% had never been bereaved. People attended to learn about grief/bereavement (77%), be inspired (52%) and feel part of a community (49%). Post-festival participants (n = 685) reported feeling part of a community (68%), learning about grief/bereavement (68%) and being inspired (66%). 89% rated the festival as excellent/very good and 75% agreed that they felt more confident talking about grief after attending. Higher ratings and confidence were associated with attending more events. Post-festival attitudes were improved across all four items (p < 0.001). Attendees appreciated the festival, particularly valuing the online format, opportunities for connection during lockdown and the diversity and quality of speakers. Suggestions included improving registration, more interactive events and less content.

Conclusion

Good Grief Festival successfully reached a large public audience, with benefit in engagement, confidence and community-building. Evaluation was critical in shaping future events. Findings suggest festivals of this nature can play a central role in increasing death- and grief-literacy within a public health approach.

Racial and ethnic differences in retrospective end-of-Life outcomes: A systematic review

The purpose of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive account of racial and ethnic differences in retrospective end-of-life outcomes. Studies were searched from the following databases: Abstracts in Social Gerontology, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMED, and SocIndex. Studies were included if they were published in English, included people from groups who have been minoritized, included adults aged 18 and older, used retrospective data, and examined end-of-life outcomes. Results from most of the 29 included studies showed that people from groups who have been minoritized had more aggressive/intensive care, had less hospice care, were more likely to die in a hospital, less likely to engage in advance care planning, less likely to have good quality of care, and experienced more financial burden at the end of life. Implications for practice (timely referrals), policy (health insurance access), and research (intervention studies) are provided.

'Sadly I think we are sort of still quite white, middle-class really' - Inequities in access to bereavement support: Findings from a mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

Voluntary and community sector bereavement services are central to bereavement support in the UK.

AIM

To determine service providers' perspectives on access to their support before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

Mixed methods study using an explanatory sequential design: (1) Cross-sectional online survey of UK bereavement services; (2) Qualitative interviews with staff and volunteers at selected services.

SETTINGS/PARTICIPANTS

147 services participated in the survey; 24 interviews were conducted across 14 services.

RESULTS

67.3% of services reported there were groups with unmet needs not accessing their services before the pandemic; most frequently people from minoritised ethnic communities (49%), sexual minority groups (26.5%), deprived areas (24.5%) and men (23.8%). Compared with before the pandemic, 3.4% of services were seeing more people from minoritised ethnic groups, while 6.1% were seeing fewer. 25.2% of services did not collect ethnicity data. Qualitative findings demonstrated the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on minoritised ethnic communities, including disruption to care/mourning practices, and the need for culturally appropriate support. During the pandemic outreach activities were sometimes deprioritised; however, increased collaboration was also reported. Online provision improved access but excluded some. Positive interventions to increase equity included collecting client demographic data; improving outreach, language accessibility and staff representation; supporting other professionals to provide bereavement support; local collaboration and co-production.

CONCLUSIONS

Service providers report inequities in access to bereavement support. Attention needs to be paid to identifying, assessing and meeting unmet needs for appropriate bereavement support. Identified positive interventions can inform service provision and research.

Bureaucracy and burden: An Intersectionality-Based Policy Analysis of social welfare policy with consequences for carers of people with life-limiting illness

BACKGROUND

For informal carers of people with life-limiting illness, social welfare policy related to income support and housing has been associated with varied psychosocial issues, yet remains relatively under-explored. An intersectional approach offers potential to illuminate diverse experiences and implications.

AIM

To explore the way in which caring in the context of life-limiting illness is framed within welfare policy, to articulate inequities encountered by carers, and to identify policy and practice recommendations.

DESIGN

The Intersectionality-Based Policy Analysis (IBPA) Framework was used to situate findings of a broader qualitative study.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with participants who were bereaved carers (n = 12), welfare workers (n = 14) and palliative care workers (n = 7), between November 2018 and April 2020, in an Australian region associated with socioeconomic disadvantage. Five elements of IBPA were applied to the products of analysis of this data.

RESULTS

Use of the IBPA Framework revealed that representations of carers and causes of their welfare needs in policy were underpinned by several assumptions; including that caring and grieving periods are temporary or brief, and that carers have adequate capacity to navigate complex systems. Policy and processes had differentiated consequences for carers, with those occupying certain social locations prone to accumulating disadvantage.

CONCLUSIONS

This intersectional analysis establishes critical exploration of the framing and consequences of welfare policy for carers of people with life-limiting illness, presented in a novel conceptual model. Implications relate to intersectoral development of structural competency, responsiveness to structurally vulnerable carers in clinical practice, and needed policy changes.

Risk factors associated with poorer experiences of end-of-life care and challenges in early bereavement: Results of a national online survey of people bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Experiences of end-of-life care and early bereavement during the COVID-19 pandemic are poorly understood.

AIM

To identify clinical and demographic risk factors for sub-optimal end-of-life care and pandemic-related challenges prior to death and in early bereavement, to inform clinical practice, policy and bereavement support.

DESIGN

Online national survey of adults bereaved in the UK (deaths between 16 March 2020 and 2 January 2021), recruited via media, social media, national associations and organisations.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

711 participants, mean age 49.5 (SD 12.9, range 18-90). 628 (88.6%) were female. Mean age of the deceased was 72.2 (SD 16.1, range miscarriage to 102 years). 311 (43.8%) deaths were from confirmed/suspected COVID-19.

RESULTS

Deaths in hospital/care home increased the likelihood of poorer experiences at the end of life; for example, being unable to visit or say goodbye as wanted (p < 0.001). COVID-19 was also associated with worse experiences before and after death; for example, feeling unsupported by healthcare professionals (p < 0.001), social isolation/loneliness (OR = 0.439; 95% CI: 0.261-0.739), and limited contact with relatives/friends (OR = 0.465; 95% CI: 0.254-0.852). Expected deaths were associated with a higher likelihood of positive end-of-life care experiences. The deceased being a partner or child also increased the likelihood of positive experiences, however being a bereaved partner strongly increased odds of social isolation/loneliness, for example, OR = 0.092 (95% CI: 0.028-0.297) partner versus distant family member.

CONCLUSIONS

Four clear risk factors were found for poorer end-of-life care and pandemic-related challenges in bereavement: place, cause and expectedness of death, and relationship to the deceased.

Support needs and barriers to accessing support: Baseline results of a mixed-methods national survey of people bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic is a mass bereavement event which has profoundly disrupted grief experiences. Understanding support needs and access to support among people bereaved at this time is crucial to ensuring appropriate bereavement support infrastructure.

AIM

To investigate grief experiences, support needs and use of formal and informal bereavement support among people bereaved during the pandemic.

DESIGN

Baseline results from a longitudinal survey. Support needs and experiences of accessing support are reported using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of free-text data.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

711 adults bereaved in the UK between March and December 2020, recruited via media, social media, national associations and community/charitable organisations.

RESULTS

High-level needs for emotional support were identified. Most participants had not sought support from bereavement services (59%, n = 422) or their General-Practitioner (60%, n = 428). Of participants who had sought such support, over half experienced difficulties accessing bereavement services (56%, n = 149)/General-Practitioner support (52%, n = 135). About 51% reported high/severe vulnerability in grief; among these, 74% were not accessing bereavement or mental-health services. Barriers included limited availability, lack of appropriate support, discomfort asking for help and not knowing how to access services. About 39% (n = 279) experienced difficulties getting support from family/friends, including relational challenges, little face-to-face contact and disrupted collective mourning. The perceived uniqueness of pandemic bereavement and wider societal strains exacerbated their isolation.

CONCLUSIONS

People bereaved during the pandemic have high levels of support needs alongside difficulties accessing support. We recommend increased provision and tailoring of bereavement services, improved information on support options and social/educational initiatives to bolster informal support and ameliorate isolation.