Duration of Bereavement

Q: What's the average time for any family to be bereaved after patient's death? (select one)

A) One year

B) Three years

C) Five years

D) Ten years

Answer: D

Bereavement is a lesser discussed subject amongst ICU workforce, but a patient's death has a prolonged effect on the family. It may be a surprise that, at any given point, up to 60 percent of the population can be bereaved at any given time. An average time of bereavement for a family is about ten years since the patient's demise. 

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References:

1. Kersting A, Brähler E, Glaesmer H, Wagner B. Prevalence of complicated grief in a representative population-based sample. J Affect Disord 2011; 131:339.

2. M Katherine Shear, Charles F Reynolds III, Naomi M Simon, Sidney Zisook - Bereavement and grief in adults: Clinical features - https://www.uptodate.com/contents/bereavement-and-grief-in-adults-clinical-features (last accessed November 30, 2022) - © 2022 UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates.