Current Status and Tasks of Bereavement Services in Japanese Hospice and Palliative Care Units: Comparison of Survey Data in 2002 and 2012

Objectives: The purposes of this study are to assess the prevalence and tasks of bereavement services in Japanese hospices/PCUs and to explore these changes through comparison of survey data in 2002 and 2012. Methods: A postal survey of all government-approved hospice and care units in Japan was conducted in 2012. Two hundred twenty-seven questionnaires were dispatched, of which 156 were retuned (response rate, 68.7%). Results: The results of 2012 survey showed that 78% of respondents sent memorial cards, and 73% provided memorial services. The ratios of hospices/PCUs offering diverse bereavement serveces in general decreased over the last decade. “Organizational support” was perceived by 71% of respondents as one of the tasks of bereavement services in 2012 survey. The responses of “caregiver training” and “research on the demands of bereaved individuals” as perceived tasks were declined significantly over the past decade from 2002. Conclusion: These findings in 2012 survey revealed present status of bereavement services in Japanese hospices/PCUs, and suggested that some perceived tasks has been slightly dealt with through comparison with results of 2002 survey.

Evaluations and needs of bereavement services among the bereaved whose family member died at palliative care units

<b>Objectives</b>: The purpose of this study is to clarify evaluations and needs of bereavement services among the bereaved whose family member died at palliative care units. <b>Methods</b>: A multicenter questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of bereaved family members of cancer patients who were admitted to palliative care units in Japan. Participants completed self-report questionnaire including the items concerning bereavement services provided by palliative care units and other resources, and the Center for Epidemiologic Study Depression Scale (CES-D). <b>Results</b>: Of the 661 questionnaires sent to bereaved family members, 451 responses were analyzed (response rate: 68%). The results revealed that 49% of respondents received "memorial cards". Bereavement services were evaluated positively by 88-94% of respondents. The bereaved relatives with higher level of depressive symptoms signicicantly asked for bereavement services. <b>Conclusion</b>: These findings did not suggest the efficacies of some beravement services provided by a specified unit, but that of each service itself at palliative care units. And this result supported the notion that all the bereaved did not equally want any beravement services.