The community nurse (both generalist and palliative care-specific) is key to supporting
the carer with their bereavement experience.
Aim:To identify the bereavement needs of carers and the capacity of community nurses to
provide for those needs.
Methods: Descriptive mixed method study: i) needs questionnaire among carers; ii) interview
study among carers; iii) knowledge and confidence questionnaire among community
nurses.
Findings: Just one-third of carers reported engagement with community nurses (CNs) re
prolonged and anticipatory grief. Older age predicted poorer carer-reported
bereavement outcome. CNs reported low confidence and skill re bereavement CNs
with palliative care training were more confident and knowledgeable than generalist
CNs.
Conclusions: Despite offering high ratings for CN compassion and overall quality of support during
the dying process, bereavement support was reported by carers to be missing. The role of community nurses in providing for the bereavement needs of carers is yet to be established.