[When the diagnosis came in … Bereavement care in Germany in 2020/2021: Where do we stand?]

Abstract

Background: In Germany, numerous health care providers work in the field of bereavement care. An epidemiological study of the field immediately after the introduction of the ICD-11 diagnosis "Prolonged Grief Disorder" (PGD) is pending.

Methods: The second survey of the trend study, which is designed over a total of three measurement points at intervals of one decade each, explores whether and to what extent the field of bereavement care has evolved after the introduction of the grief-specific diagnosis PGD. For this purpose, providers of bereavement care at various organizational levels were asked to participate in an online survey. The survey was conducted from October 2020 to January 2021.

Results: 456 questionnaires were included in the study. Data analysis was descriptive. 80.5% of the participants have an additional grief-specific qualification, 59.4% base their work on a grief-specific concept. In view of the PGD diagnosis, only a few respondents have participated in a PGD-related advanced training. Most are afraid that the topic of grief will increasingly be subsumed in the medical-psychological-therapeutic field. An increase in bereavement research and the number and quality of continuing education is also expected.

Discussion: Some positive trends in German bereavement care can be identified. However, there is a need for further development in the areas "designation of the activity", "diagnostics", and "intervention". Also, there is a need for training with regard to PGD.

Conclusion: After the introduction of PGD, the field of bereavement care in Germany turns out to be slightly different. The diagnosis is viewed skeptically.

Keywords: Bereavement; Bereavement care; Grief; Grief counselling; Prolonged Grief Disorder; Prolonged grief disorder; Trauer; Trauerbegleitung; Trauerversorgung; Verlust.