Review | Module 3 | Child Bereavement for Doctors

This is how you answered the focus questions earlier. Do you feel differently about any of these situations now?

Review your answers. Change them if you like. Then click the Feedback button for more.

1 All attempts at resuscitating a child have failed and the parents are waiting in the bereavement room. What do you actually say to the parents?

a Ask them some general, caring questions about how they are and use a gentle approach, eventually trying to help by telling them that the fatal accident was not their fault.

b Tell parents their child (name) has died and leave them alone to absorb the news, explaining that a nurse is making them some tea and will be with them soon.

c Tell them immediately how sorry you are that their child (name) has died and that everything possible was done.

2 When a child under your care has died, you feel you want to say “sorry”. Should you?

a Yes.

b No.

Question 1 best answer: C

one of the most unhelpful things you can do is “hit and run”. Parents need time, honest information, support and empathy at this time.

Offer parents the choice for you to stay while they begin to absorb what they have been told.

Reassure parents that everything possible was done – they won’t automatically assume that.

Consider taking another look at the presentation.

Question 2 best answer: A

saying you are sorry, if you feel you want to, is helpful. It is not generally seen as an admission of liability, but rather as an expression of shared humanity.

Consider taking another look at the presentation.

Best answers: 0 out of

© copyright 2001-2019 Child Bereavement UK

Registered in England and Wales: 1040419 and Scotland: SCO42910

training design & web development by Mark Iliff, Talespinner