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"There's no time limit on grief:" Women's perspectives on a novel reproductive grief screening tool

Jennifer J. Bute, Maria Brann, Cara Buskmiller, Michaelene Fredenburg

Open Access
  • Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis ROR
  • University of Indianapolis ROR
  • Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA ROR
  • Institute of Reproductive Grief Care, San Diego, USA. ROR

PEC Innovation, 3, 100244

DOI 10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100244 PMID 38076488

Abstract

Objective

Women who have experienced reproductive loss (i.e., miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion) evaluated the usefulness of a novel screening tool, Reproductive Grief Screen (RGS), to identify patients struggling with ongoing, complicated grief.

Methods

This mixed-methods study involved U.S. women who had experienced reproductive loss. Online data collection resulted in 27 interviews and 282 surveys completed. Perceptions of and preferences about RGS were thematically analyzed. Chi square analyses assessed relationships between demographics and tool preferences.

Results

RGS validated women's experiences with grief after reproductive loss. Women noted their providers may be unaware of their loss(es). Participants requested periodic screening using RGS beginning shortly after a loss (or during new patient intake) and occurring regularly (e.g., annually). Overall, women preferred completing RGS online before an appointment, though preferences varied by demographics (i.e., age, time since loss). Participants want providers to compassionately discuss RGS results with them and offer appropriate resources.

Conclusion

The RGS can help identify largely ignored grief after reproductive loss. INNOVATION: Findings from group and individual interviews and a survey of women who have coped with reproductive loss suggest that use of a brief RGS tool could reshape clinical practice to aid women who might be facing complicated grief. Moreover, women expressed clear preferences for how to implement use of the RGS in clinical contexts.

Topics

Pregnancy > Loss > Grief Assessment ToolsEthics/Philosophy > Patient Experience > Reproductive GriefResearch Methodology > Qualitative Research > Tool Development
reproductive grief screening tool women perspectives, pregnancy loss grief no time limit screening instrument, Bute Brann Buskmiller reproductive grief qualitative, reproductive loss grief screening patient perspectives, miscarriage stillbirth infertility grief assessment, PEC Innovation reproductive grief screening 2023, pregnancy loss bereavement tool development validation, reproductive grief women experiences novel screening, perinatal loss psychological assessment patient voice
PMID 38076488 38076488 DOI 10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100244 10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100244

Cite this article

Bute, J. J., Brann, M., Cara Buskmiller, & Fredenburg, M. (2023). "There's no time limit on grief:" Women's perspectives on a novel reproductive grief screening tool. *PEC innovation*, *3*, 100244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100244

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