Risk factors for complicated grief among family members bereaved in intensive care unit settings: A systematic review.
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Authors
Sanderson, Emma AM
Walker, Fiona
Carduff, Emma
Boyd, Kirsty
Publication Date
2022Journal Title
PLoS One
ISSN
1932-6203
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Volume
17
Issue
3
Language
eng
Type
Article
This Version
VoR
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Sanderson, E. A., Humphreys, S., Walker, F., Harris, D., Carduff, E., McPeake, J., Boyd, K., et al. (2022). Risk factors for complicated grief among family members bereaved in intensive care unit settings: A systematic review.. PLoS One, 17 (3) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264971
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Families of intensive care unit (ICU) decedents are at increased risk of experiencing complicated grief. However, factors associated with complicated grief in ICU and bereavement needs assessment are not available routinely. We aimed to conduct a systematic review identifying risk factors associated with complicated grief among family members of ICU decedents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant articles. Observational studies and randomised and non-randomised controlled trials were included. Studies were screened and quality appraised in duplicate. Risk of bias was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A narrative synthesis was undertaken. RESULTS: Seven studies conducted across three continents were eligible. Four studies were of high quality. 61 risk factors were investigated across the studies. Factors associated with a decreased risk of complicated grief included age, patient declining treatment and involvement in decision-making. Factors associated with increased risk included living alone, partner, dying while intubated, problematic communication, and not having the opportunity to say goodbye. CONCLUSION: This systematic review has identified risk factors which may help identify family members at increased risk of complicated grief. Many of the studies has small sample sizes increasing the risk of erroneously reporting no effect due to type II error. Some factors are specific to the ICU setting and are potentially modifiable. Bereavement services tailored to the needs of bereaved family members in ICU settings are required. (PROSPERO registration ID 209503).
Identifiers
35271633, PMC8912194
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264971
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/335971
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