Dear Editor,
We would like to submit a response to the article “Making Space for Grief: The Impact of Remembrance Programmes on Paediatric Healthcare Providers” by Wiener and Ph (Reference Wiener and Ph2024). Through a structured remembrance program, the authors have presented significant insights into grief support for healthcare workers in pediatric units. As revealed by the authors, the grief experienced by healthcare workers when caring for a deceased pediatric patient is profound, affecting their mental well-being and overall job satisfaction. Programs such as the Pediatric Remembrance Ceremony (PRC) (Pang Reference Pang2024) and Good Grief and Chocolate at Noon (GGCN) provide much-needed space for reflection and mutual support, as well as an approach to dealing with the emotional burden of pediatric care.
Rabow et al. (Reference Rabow, Huang and White-Hammond2021) highlighted the importance of candle lighting and name reading in strengthening emotional bonds between health workers. PRCs, structured yet personalized, allow staff to honor the departed patient while acknowledging their shared grief (Butler et al. Reference Butler, Riegel and Speedie2024). This strengthens solidarity while reducing feelings of alienation among key staff in overcoming burnout and compassion fatigue (Kinsella et al. Reference Kinsella, Muldoon and Lemon2023). The article underlines that such rituals can provide emotional relief, reinforcing the idea that structured remembrance practices can be therapeutic in medical environments, where grief experiences are often hidden or rarely openly expressed (Maddrell Reference Maddrell2016).
This study also highlights the unique format of the GGCN program, which allows for informal exchange and sharing of personal stories. Such programs fill a void in formal grief support by offering the opportunity for authentic, spontaneous sharing among colleagues (Testoni et al. Reference Testoni, Biancalani and Ronconi2023). By creating a space for healthcare workers to openly share their personal experiences and listen to the stories of others, GGCN creates an environment that supports the growth of empathy and understanding. As noted by the authors, the transition to a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected benefits, such as enabling more comprehensive access while maintaining emotional safety (Barreda-Ángeles and Hartmann Reference Barreda-Ángeles and Hartmann2022). This may encourage more frequent participation, as grieving privately through a computer screen may feel more comfortable for some (Entilli et al. Reference Entilli, Kõlves and De Leo2024).
However, one aspect that needs further research is the long-term impact of these memorial services on the psychological well-being of health workers (Ali et al. Reference Ali, Feroz and Akber2021). Although these programs offer immediate emotional relief, long-term evaluations may provide insights into whether continued participation contributes to resilience against burnout (Archer et al. Reference Archer, Lewis and Yarker2024). Integrating additional strategies, such as regular follow-up sessions, may amplify the cumulative benefits, ensuring that these efforts match staff needs (Wright et al. Reference Wright, Wachen and Yamokoski2023).
The authors’ recommendations for a hybrid model are well suited to the current work environment and can serve as a reference for other institutions (Naqshbandi et al. Reference Naqshbandi, Kabir and Ishak2024). By combining virtual and face-to-face options, these remembrance programs have the potential to expand reach, offering grief support tailored to individual preferences and convenience (Bott et al. Reference Bott, Hall and Madero2019). This approach provides an opportunity to improve the mental well-being of healthcare workers and the quality of patient care they provide (De Kock et al. Reference De Kock, Latham and Leslie2021). Implementing this hybrid model across different healthcare settings may boost staff morale and contribute to an empathetic work culture (Sampat et al. Reference Sampat, Raj and Behl2022).
Remembrance programs such as PRC and GGCN have great potential in supporting healthcare workers facing bereavement in pediatric care units. Their continued implementation, with further studies to measure their impact, could provide a sustainable framework for healthcare systems worldwide to support healthcare workers in dealing effectively with bereavement.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank our fellow researchers and institutions for their moral and intellectual support throughout the writing process. We are also grateful to the reviewers who provided valuable input to improve the quality of our article.
Author contribution
Rikas Saputra: Conceptualization, Formal Analysis, Data curation. Isnaria Rizki Hayati: Conceptualization, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Supervision, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Elni Yakub: Conceptualization, Formal Analysis, Supervision, Investigation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Yenni Lidyawati: Formal Analysis, Supervision, Investigation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Rizky Andana Pohan: Formal Analysis, Supervision, Investigation, Writing – original draft. Sesilianus Fau: Investigation, Writing – original draft. Mei Sarri: Supervision, Investigation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.
Funding
We, the authors of this article, declare that no funding source played a role in developing this research. The entire process and writing of the article was conducted without financial support from any party, thus ensuring our research’s independence, objectivity, and integrity.
Competing interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper.
Open access
