A retrospective records audit of bereaved carers’ groups

Research on the effectiveness of groupwork for bereaved people in reducing symptoms of grief, is mixed, but many bereavement services in the UK offer support groups as part of their service. Information about the running and content of groups is mainly based on practitioners’ accounts of their experiences. An evaluation of groups organised in a large hospice and associated carers' groups for 70 bereaved carers was undertaken by an independent retrospective review. This covered 65 records of group meetings and 22 evaluation forms completed by group members at reunions. The outcomes of this study contribute further qualitative information about the themes discussed by group members and arrangements for running such groups. Groupwork focused on the death as a shared difficult experience in their lives. 34 discussion themes in the groups were identified from the records, the most frequently discussed themes were family life, stories of the dying process and loss and loneliness. Facilitators’ assessments of the dominant mood in groups were analysed. Sadness was predominant. The group function in most groups was supportive. Members’ evaluations were mostly favourable. They valued meeting others and experiencing shared feelings