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First published online September 10, 2013

The Ligurian High-School Educational Project on Palliative Care: Development and Piloting of a School-Based Intervention on Bereavement and Severe Illness

Abstract

This study was aimed at developing and piloting a school-based intervention on severe illness-induced bereavement through a project focused on spreading knowledge of palliative care among high school students (phases 0-II Medical Research Council Framework). The intervention entailed the screening of a topic-related movie and a classroom meeting. Eight classes from 2 high schools participated, and a before–after evaluation was used to assess intervention feasibility and impact. Valid questionnaires, including 2 open-ended questions focusing on bereavement and strategies for coping with loss, were filled in by 89% (before) and 84% (after) of the 159 students. In the after evaluation, content analysis on the “strategies” question showed that answers concerning closeness and sharing were reported more frequently. Positive feedback was collected as regards the overall experience.

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Published In

Article first published online: September 10, 2013
Issue published: November 2014

Keywords

  1. school-based intervention
  2. bereavement
  3. palliative care
  4. Medical Research Council Framework
  5. inpatient hospice nurses
  6. public education
  7. before–after evaluation.

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© The Author(s) 2013.
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History

Published online: September 10, 2013
Issue published: November 2014
PubMed: 24023264

Authors

Affiliations

Monica Beccaro, MA
Regional Palliative Care Network, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Genoa, Italy
Giorgia Gollo, PsyD
Regional Palliative Care Network, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Genoa, Italy
Monica Giordano, BN
Hospice Maria Chighine, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Genoa, Italy
Jessica Igazzini, BN
Hospice Maria Chighine, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Genoa, Italy
Valentina Servente, BN
Emergency Ward, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Genoa, Italy
Stefano Vignali, BN
Hospice Maria Chighine, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Genoa, Italy
Massimo Costantini, MD
Regional Palliative Care Network, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Genoa, Italy
Silvia Di Leo, PsyD
Regional Palliative Care Network, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Genoa, Italy

Notes

Monica Beccaro, MA, Regional Palliative Care Network, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Largo R. Benzi, 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy. Email: [email protected]

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