Effectiveness of professional training in bereavement care: Survey of Japanese pediatricians supporting families who have lost a child

Background The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of professional training in bereavement care. Method We mailed a questionnaire to 554 Japanese pediatricians. It asked about demographic characteristics, personal support experiences, professional training, psychological distress, recognition of high risk after a child's death, and eight items relating to awareness in bereavement care. We divided the subjects into two groups based on the presence or absence of professional training and compared them on the basis of each item (χ2 test), and conducted logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 239 respondents, 193 (80.8%) had performed bereavement care. The final number included in the analysis was 175, after excluding responses with missing data. A total of 46 respondents (26.3%) had attended bereavement care training. The subjects who had had training were more likely to recognize those at high risk for poor psychological recovery, have information about support groups, have a desire to study bereavement care, and understand the necessity of cooperation with mental health specialists. Conclusion Many pediatricians had personally provided support for the bereaved. On logistic analysis, it was considered that four factors (recognition of high risk for poor recovery, information about support, desire to study, and cooperation with professionals) were significantly associated with the professional training. There were no significant differences, however, in psychological distress, helplessness, and fatigue. Training programs related to stress management must be improved for pediatricians who feel high levels of psychological distress.