Death Notification: Someone Needs To Call the Family

Ombres, Rachel; Montemorano, Lauren; Becker, Daniel M.

doi:10.1089/jpm.2016.0481

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…A study highlighted the importance of protecting privacy in the information provided to partner/family/friends during the notification of the death of a loved one (Basinger et al, 2016 ). Another study presented strategies on how to make an adequate death notification commencing by a phone call (Ombres et al, 2017 ). Whenever possible, phone calls should not be the only way to communicate the traumatic death of someone: direct contact with survivors should always be encouraged.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sudden and violent deaths can trigger acute psychological responses; they can increase the risk of developing complicated bereavement, in addition to the onset of physical and psychological symptoms. In turn, these could lead to an increase in suicidal risk and general mortality (Kaul, 2001 ; Mitchell, 2008 ; Parris, 2011 ; Baumann and Stark, 2015 ; Peters et al, 2016 ; Brand and Mahlke, 2017 ; Ombres et al, 2017 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…What emerges from the literature is that not much information is available on how to deal with sudden death, and that there is still a shortage of educational material in this area for emergency professionals (Smith et al, 1999 ). In addition, standardized protocol for making death notifications by phone in different contexts appear to be lacking (Ombres et al, 2017 ). The professional figures mainly called to deal with the notification processes often do not receive adequate training to learn how to provide painful communications in the most appropriate way.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is known, in fact, that this task emotionally involves not only the family members and other survivors of the deceased but also the professionals who are called to communicate death (Meunier et al, 2013 ). Moreover, communicating death to a close person or family member without an adequate strategic plan can contribute to aggravating the pain of loss (Mitchell, 2008 ; Ombres et al, 2017 ). Improving the notifiers' skills and competences, along with understanding the possible reactions of those who receive a death report, can increase the chances that the death notification process may result as sensitive, empathetic, respectful, and compassionate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Notification of Unexpected, Violent and Traumatic Death: A Systematic Review

Leo

Zammarrelli²,

Giannotti³

et al. 2020

Front. Psychol.

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Background: The way the death of a person is communicated can have a profound impact on the bereavement process. The words and expressions that are used to give the tragic news, the characteristics of who communicates it, the physical setting in which the notification is given, the means used (e.g., in person, via phone call, etc.) are just some of the factors that can influence the way survivors face one of the most difficult moments in their lives. Aim: To review the literature on the topic of death notification to verify the state of the art related to this important procedure. Methods: A systematic review was conducted with PRISMA criteria on English-written materials produced from 1966 to 2019. Results: Out of the initial 3,166 titles considered, 60 articles were extracted for this review. A content analysis has revealed four main areas of interest: (1) protocols and guidelines; (2) emotional reactions of recipients and notifiers; (3) professional figures involved in the notification process; and, (4) types of death. Discussion: The communication of death represents a complex and stressful experience not only for those who receive it but also for those who give it. Alongside the acquisition of a necessary technique and execution methods, the process should involve the selection of notifiers based on personality characteristics and communication styles. Conclusion: Indications for the need of better training and protocols sensitive to different circumstances emerge. Adequate preparation can positively influence the quality of communication and the effects it produces, both on recipients and notifiers. In vocational training, more space should be devoted to this demanding task.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Notification of Unexpected, Violent and Traumatic Death: A Systematic Review

Leo

Zammarrelli²,

Giannotti³

et al. 2020

Front. Psychol.

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“…Professionals in charge of communication should be fully aware of the importance of having an attitude appropriate to the delicate circumstance [ 8 ], since sensitive communication can contain the person’s reactions [ 9 ]. For this reason, it is essential to work on the communication skills of the professionals involved so as to be able to reduce, at least in part, both the pain of the relatives and the stress that the execution of this task entails [ 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Communicating Unexpected and Violent Death: The Experiences of Police Officers and Health Care Professionals

Leo

Congregalli²,

Guarino³

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: The notification of unexpected and violent death represents a challenging experience for police officers and health workers. These professionals are exposed to very intense emotions during this task. Aim: We aimed to investigate the degree of preparation, and the emotions and attitudes of police officers and health professionals while communicating such a death. Method: An ad hoc online questionnaire was created and disseminated through Qualtrics software. The participants were recruited through the institutional channels of Police, the College of Physicians, the ONG De Leo Fund and the Department of General Psychology of the University of Padua. In this qualitative study, thematic content analysis was used to examine the responses. Results: A total of 155 individuals participated in the study (44 females, 111 males): 102 individuals were police officers, 23 were doctors and were 30 nurses. Five main themes were identified: (1) how the communication took place; (2) the experiences during the communication; (3) the difficulties encountered; (4) coping strategies, and (5) forms of support. Most communications were performed in person, and most represented an intense emotional experience for the notifiers. There is a generalised lack of specific preparation and training for this practice. The recipient’s characteristics (culture of origin, language, age, health conditions, psychological vulnerability) may add to the difficulties of the notification process. Professionals unload their tension by practicing sport, relying on their hobbies or interacting socially. The presence of other colleagues during and after the death notification is usually able to alleviate the burden of the communication. Conclusions: Communication modalities can have a profound impact on the recipients and intensify the trauma of the loss; however, they also have the possibility of mitigating it. The notification of a violent and unexpected death remains a difficult and challenging task for the notifier, which is potentially stressful and emotionally charged. The topic is of great relevance and more research should be promoted in this area.

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The Doctor, the Dead and the Relatives

Argo¹,

Tullio²

2022

Handbook of Forensic Medicine

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Death Notification: Someone Needs To Call the Family

Cited by 13 publications

References 61 publications

Notification of Unexpected, Violent and Traumatic Death: A Systematic Review

Notification of Unexpected, Violent and Traumatic Death: A Systematic Review

Communicating Unexpected and Violent Death: The Experiences of Police Officers and Health Care Professionals

The Doctor, the Dead and the Relatives

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