Syllabi: Grief: The Physician's Touch

INSTITUTION: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine

PRESENTERS: Patricia M. Pakan, RN, PhD, Faculty at Walsh University, National Board Certified Counselor; and Lou-Ann Redmon, RN, Co-Owner, Redmon Funeral Home, Director of Redmon Grief Resource Center, National Certified Bereavement Facilitator

PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Martin Kohn, Ph.D., Director of the Human Values in Medicine Program (email: mfk@neoucom.EDU)

SEMESTER: Spring 2000
April 19, 26, May 3, 10 ENROLLMENT: Workshop; limit 20.

LEARNING GOALS:

Upon completion of this seminar series, each participant is expected to:

Describe the normal grief wound as a holistic syndrome.

Identify six key words that describe the overall grieving-healing process.

Distinguish grief reactions between a normal response and abnormal/complicated responses that may require professional support.

Identify ways that healing is facilitated, how expectations affect that outcome and how roles and responsibilities in a family change.

List positive as well as negative aspects of words and actions.

Recognize and acknowledge the needs of those who work with the dying and grieving.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This program focuses on understanding the normal grief wound from the emotional, mental, physical, social, behavioral and spiritual aspects. The needs of families in sorrow will be explored, and the techniques that physicians can use to effectively communicate with those families will be presented.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION: Lecture, video, visual aids, role play, and discussion

Physical and Emotional Wounds

Normal, Natural, Necessary Grief

Grief Work

Abnormal Grief

Family Roles, Relationships and Responsibilities

Specific Griefs: children, suicide, miscarriage

Session III: Professional Issues

Work-Related Stresses

Support Systems

Coping Mechanisms

Session IV: Healing Touch

Non-Healing Words

Healing Words