Loss of a spouse to cancer: implications for nursing

Even though nursing claims to provide holistic and complete care to the patients and families it serves, that care most always ends at the patient's death. The purpose of this study was to examine, in depth, the bereavement reactions of persons following the death of their spouses to cancer. The subjects were interviewed at bi-weekly intervals for an eight week period. The data were gathered by an unstructured interview format and were interpreted based on Parkes' Characteristics of Grief. The impact of the confidant on the bereavement process was addressed and one systematic measure, the Texas Revised of Grief, was utilized. The results of the study indicated that each of the persons grieved in a different manner and at a different pace. These findings run counter to the current trend in health literature to categorize and standardize human reactions into a set of predictable steps. Parkes' Characteristics of Grief, however, could be use for normal parameters for the grief experience. Although generalizations cannot be made, several important clinical nursing implications are apparent. They include individual assessment, specific goal setting, evaluation, and planning nursing support post death or after discharge. It has already been suggested in other nursing literature that follow-up after death is important, particularly if death is due to cancer. This study reinforces that and provides for nursing implications and suggestions for further research.