A questionnaire survey of family practice physicians' perceptions of bereavement care

Survey responses were obtained from 113 family physicians in an exploratory investigation of bereavement care by family physicians. Respondents genera lly indicated that they believed that bereavement presented significant hea lth risks to their patients and that the identification and treatment of be reaved patients was an important part of their role. However, physicians we re highly variable in how they reported identifying and responding to berea ved patients in terms of counseling, addressing spiritual concerns, and med ically treating symptoms. The "grief-responsive" physician is described bas ed on these data. We document the interest and need for training in bereave ment care.