GPs’ grief counselling lacking, researchers say

Curtin researchers have called for urgent changes in the way GPs are trained in grief and bereavement referrals following a study that indicates current methods rely on outdated theories that may be detrimental to patient care. Researchers interviewed 19 WA-based GPs and found that some had a limited awareness of recent grief research whilst others failed to separate grief from depression and were not always sure when and where to refer patients in need of grief counselling. Dr Moira O’Connor, lead researcher and senior research fellow from Curtin’s School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, said there was little doubt GPs had a “critical role in exploring distress, including grief, and many people turn to them frequently for support and advice following bereavement”. “Even though GPs are well positioned to provide grief assistance to patients, or refer them to mental health professionals when appropriate, it is imperative that they have access to current information on current approaches to bereavement care,” O’Connor said. O’Connor’s study recommended that additional training be given to medical students with regard to supporting grieving patients, and called for a higher focus on grief management within existing CPD programs for practicing GPs. "We need to clarify the processes involved in referring a patient to a mental health professional and also ensure that reimbursement of GPs’ time is adequate in order to optimise patient care," O'Connor said. "Additionally, we need to enhance communication between GPs and mental health professionals and provide easily accessible and useable resources in order to facilitate referral processes and ensure that patients who need extra clinical intervention are able to access appropriate supports." Updated: 8/9/2014