Viewing Volume 3 Issue 3 Autumn 2000
Bereavement & Loss Conference 2000
Pesonal and Professional Issues
This is the only known day conference with international speakers of such regard in the field of thanatology. As such it presented diverse aspects on the personal and professional issues surrounding bereavement and loss. It was good that the professionals acknowledged the wide context of experience of the delegates and that there are pockets of excellence within the UK.
Dr. Katie Booth, (Macmillan Development Unit), spoke of how helping families and friends during the process of bereavement is a complex process which can involve many groups of health care professionals, and outlined some of the policy issues which may influece care. She outlined the 1998 white paper "A First Class Service", with its importance of best possible evidence for clinical decisions. The movement towards a Primary Care Led N.H.S. which will have a major impact. Also that National Standards are being defined by a series of national guidance documents, that recommend to help providers commission, plan and develop services for the bereaved and will ultimately direct an improvement of a quality service provision for death, dying and bereavement. Recommendations are being utilsed as an exemplar for National Service Frameworks and implementation will affect families of patients. Against this background, the challenges and opportunities for health professionals to make a difference in bereavement was discussed.
John Anderson, (Principal Lecturer in Sociology at Kings College, London, UK) led a thought provoking speech on confronting myths in bereavement support. A lively discussion set the hall buzzing about differences between professional groups in their attitudes to, and provision of support. And how changes have occured in our knowledge over time and these have impacted in different waysin various caring professions and groups.
Leonard Gorodkin, (HM Coroner for Greater Manchester) The subject matter was so immense that he could only touch the tip of the iceberg on the part the coroner plays in traumatic death. The impact on relatives as well as professionals was highlighted. The forensic aspect of why the body needs to be viewed behind a screen was illustrated well.
Dr. Jack Morgan, (Kings College, Ontario, Canada) reflected on the philosophical and ethical aspects. That we have trouble making sense out of life that is filled with death. Our greatest struggle as a human being is to make sense out of the senseless, to create order out of chaos. That no person is an island, each of us creates meaning because of the support that we receive from others or from our communities.
Dr. Phyllis Rolf Silverman excellently chaired the day held in such a beautiful, tranquil, 1860's building, which was a fitting setting for our topic. She drew together the speakers topics as part of her closing address. MABF and the delegates appreciate her time, distance to travel and experienced views as the author of many books on bereavement.
The delegates, after a five course lunch had the choice of workshops, appropriate to their field of work. Networking with fellow workers was a vital part of the lunchtime conversation.
By:SFB
BOOK REVIEW:-
'Perspective on Loss'
by John Harvey
0-87630-910-4 1998
Losses are integral to the human experience, but they sometimes unfold in subtle ways. Loss is not just about death, but can encompass a number of situations, such as those gradual losses experienced by the elderly:loss of vision, mental capacity, or hope, intended to stimulate ideas and research in the area of psychological aspects of loss, this sourcebook collects the writing of a set of distinguished scholars representing psychology andrelated fields. The author presents a case for a broadly-constructed field of loss - both personal and interpersonal - that would complement other fields such as death and dying, traumatology, stress and coping. Contents cover such diverse subjects as loss in intimate relationships, disability, chronic illness, genocide, sports, unemployment and homelessness. The book concludes with a commentary section on loss theory and research.
'Ethical Issues in the Care of the Dying and Bereaved Aged'
by John D. Morgan
0-89503-136-1
The blessing of longer life has brought with it a host of issues faced by the elderly, their families and their care givers. This book contains 23 essays by some of the most eminent thinkers in the field of thanatology, to address some of the problems. The book contains new materials to examine the general status of the aged today, including plliative care. Patient and family issues surrounding Alzheimer's disease, care of elderly patients by their adult children; spiritual issues in grief; moral problems - elder abuse and euthanasia; staff stress issues. This book would be of great importance to those professionals working in geriatric field, hospices as well as researchers and teachers.
'Never Too Young To Know'
by Phyllis Rolf Silverman
Oxford University Press
This book weaves together scholarly research, relevant historical perspective and the insights of the real experts - bereaved children and parents. Phyllis has written an incisive, thoughtful, compassionate work that challenges many long - standing and erroneous beliefs about how children grieve and how they heal.
By:SB
Editors Notes
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