BEREAVEMENT - A PROTOCOL FOR PRIMARY-CARE

Bereavement is experiencing a loss, particular ly of a loved one, whic h leads to a natural cycle of grief that has recognized psychological stages. Even though bereavement does not fit the criteria for the biom edical model of disease, it is a medical problem as there is a resulta nt morbidity and increased mortality associated with the surviving int imates. A bereavement protocol, which could minimize the effects of be reavement, is proposed for organized care by the primary health care t eam in this neglected area for health promotion.