• Moon Fai Chan, Feng-Lan Lou, David Gordon Arthur, Feng-Lin Cao, Lai Har Wu, Ping Li, Miharu Sagara-Rosemeyer, Loretta Yuet Foon Chung, and Li Lui.
• School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China. hsmfchan@inet.polyu.edu.hk
• J Clin Nurs. 2008 Feb 1;17(4):509-18.

AimThe purpose of this study was to explore nurses' attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care and to identify factors associate with such attitudes.BackgroundCaring for and supporting parents whose infant has died is extremely demanding, difficult and stressful. It is likely that the attitude of nursing staff can influence recovery from a pregnancy loss and nurses with positive attitude to bereavement care can help bereaved parents to cope during their grieving period.MethodData were collected through a structured questionnaire; 334 nurses were recruited (63% response rate) from the Obstetrics and Gynaecology unit in five hospitals in Hong Kong during May-August 2006. Outcome measures including attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care, importance on hospital policy and training support for bereavement care.ResultsMajority of nurses in this study held a positive attitude towards bereavement care. Results showed that only 39.3% (n = 130) of nurses had bereavement related training. By contrast, about 89.8% of nurses (n = 300) showed they need to be equipped with relevant knowledge, skills and understanding in the care and support of bereaved parents and more than 88.0% (n = 296) would share experiences with colleagues and seek support when feeling under stress. Regression model showed that age, past experience in handling grieving parents and nurses' perceived attitudes to hospital policy and training provided for bereavement cares were factors associate with nurses' attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care.ConclusionsHong Kong nurses emphasized their need for increased knowledge and experience, improved communication skills and greater support from team members and the hospital for perinatal bereavement care.Relevance To Clinical PracticeThese findings may be used for health policy makers and nursing educators to ensure delivery of sensitive bereavement care in perinatal settings and to enhance nursing school curricula respectively.

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