A call for interdisciplinary bereavement care in miscarriage and stillbirth: a stepped-care model approach
Prof Celia Chan and colleagues from the Department of Social Work, in collaboration with clinical partners in Hong Kong, advocate for an interdisciplinary stepped-care model to support individuals and families affected by miscarriage and stillbirth. The model integrates hospital-based screening with community-based psychosocial and trauma-informed care to ensure that bereaved parents receive the right support at the right time.
Bereavement following pregnancy loss, such as stillbirth or miscarriage, deeply affects individuals and families as a result of its sudden and traumatic nature. Its emotional toll presents as grief, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, which is often exacerbated by uncertainty and lack of preparedness. Healthcare primarily addresses medical and surgical management, but there is a shortage of psychosocial support, with many individuals and families feeling isolated and neglected. Integrated perinatal bereavement care is needed across hospital and community settings.
The Hong Kong-based article, ‘A call for interdisciplinary bereavement care in miscarriage and stillbirth: a stepped-care model approach’, proposes a tiered care pathway that connects hospitals, community agencies, and mental health professionals. The stepped-care model begins with hospital-based psychological screening and follow-up, providing clear information on physical recovery, emotional responses, and future pregnancy planning. It then progresses to community-based counselling, peer and group support, and specialised trauma-informed psychotherapy, ensuring ongoing and tailored care that matches the intensity of parents’ psychosocial needs. The article underscores the importance of continuity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and integration between health and social service systems to deliver compassionate, evidence-based support for bereaved families.
