Table 2 Baseline characteristics

Author/year/country

Study type

Aim of the study

Setting

Sample

Method of data collection

Outcomes measures

Quality

Aho et al. (2011) [40], Finland

RCT Follow-up program vs. usual care

To evaluate a bereavement follow-up intervention for fathers, by comparing grief reactions and to explore their experiences with the program

Intensive care unit, maternity ward, and emergencyroom in five university medical centres

Fathers of children who died at age ≤ 3 years

1. Hogan Grief Reactions Checklist

2. Questionnaire measuring social support provided by HCPs and peer supporters

3. Questionnaire measuring fathers experience with the follow-up program

1. Despair, panic behaviour, personal growth, blame and anger, detachment, disorganisation.

2. Affect, affirmation, aid from HCPs and peer supporters

3. The implementation of the program

2 out of 7

Meert et al. (2014) [41], USA

Observational study

To evaluate the feasibility and perceived benefits of conducting physician-parent follow-up meetings

Seven children’s hospitals, oncology units

Critical care physicians, bereaved parents of children who have died in the PICU, relevant others

Survey (items on Likert scale and open-ended questions)

1. Physician adherence to the framework

2. Experiences with follow-up meeting

4 out of 7

Nikkola et al. (2013) [42], Finland

Observational study

To describe mothers’ experiences with the bereavement follow-up program

Intensive care unit, maternity ward, and emergencyroom in five university medical centres

Mothers of children who died at age ≤ 3 years

1. Questionnaire measuring social support provided by HCPs and peer supporters

2. Questionnaire measuring mothers experience with the follow-up program

1. Affect, affirmation, aid.

2. The implementation of the program

5 out of 7

Raitio et al. (2015) [43], Finland

RCT Follow-up program vs. usual care

To explore the effects of a bereavement follow-up intervention on mothers’ grief

Five university medical centres

Mothers of children who died at age ≤ 3 years

1. Hogan Grief Reactions Checklist

1. Despair, panic behaviour, personal growth, blame and anger, detachment, disorganisation.

2 out of 7

Author/year/country

Study type

Aim of the study

Setting

Sample

Method of data collection

Outcomes

Quality

Aho et al. (2011) [44], Finland

Generic qualitative study

To evaluate the experiences and suggestions for further improvement of a bereavement follow-up program intervention

Perinatal and neonatal units

HCPs who were appointed to care for a child who died at age ≤ 3 years

Open-ended questionnaire and individual telephone interviews

1. Experiences with the bereavement follow-up program

2. Ideas to improve the bereavement follow-up program

14,5 out of 32

Berrett-Abebe et al. (2017) [45], USA

Generic qualitative study

To understand parents’ experiences with participation in a hospital-based bereavement support program following the loss of a child to cancer

Tertiary care centre, Department of paediatric haematology/oncology

Parents of children who have died of cancer

Focus group

1. Experiences with medical team during child’s illness

2. Experiences with bereavement follow-up program after child’s death

3. Experiences of other bereavement support

19,5 out of 32

Brink et al. (2016) [46], Denmark

Generic qualitative study

To explore parents’ experience of a follow-up meeting

University hospital, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit

Parents of children (aged 0–16) who have died in the PICU

Individual face-to-face interview

1. Experiences around a follow-up meeting

19 out of 32

Darbyshire et al. (2012) [47], Australia

Generic qualitative study

To explore the experiences of parents who participated in a nurse-led telephone follow-up support program in paediatric oncology.

Regional women’s & children’s hospital, paediatric oncology unit

Parents of children who have died from an oncology-related condition

Individual face-to-face interview

1. Experiences with a follow-up support program

21 out of 32

Eggly et al. (2011) [48], USA

Generic qualitative study

To describe a framework to assist PICU physicians in conducting follow-up meetings

Seven children’s hospitals, oncology units

Critical care physicians and bereaved parents whose children died in the PICU

Individual interviews by telephone

1. Experiences with follow-up meetings

8 out of 32

Meert et al. (2011) [49], USA

Generic qualitative study

To investigate physicians’ experiences and perspectives regarding follow-up meetings

Seven children’s hospitals, oncology units.

Critical care physicians

Individual interviews by telephone

1. Experiences with follow-up meetings

2. Ideas for future follow-up meetings

17 out of 32

Author/year/country

Study type

Aim of the study

Setting

Sample

Method of data collection

Outcomes

Quality

Michelson et al. (2013) [50], USA

Mixed method study

To describe implementation of, reflections on, and address barriers for a PICU bereavement photography program, according to HCPs

Children’s hospital, PICU

HCPs who cared for children at PICU who met one of following criteria: impending death, planned withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies with an expectation of a sudden death, examination consistent with brain death

Questionnaires (closed and open-ended questions)

1. Experiences with a bereavement photography program

2. Ideas to improve the program

4 out of 7 15,5 out of 32

Oliver et al. (2001) [51], USA

Mixed method study

To explore experiences with a bereavement support program

Regional children’s hospital, paediatric trauma centre

Families of children who have died in the paediatric trauma centre and parental supporters

Survey and individual interview

1. Experiences with a bereavement support program

4 out of 7 10 out of 32

Author/year/country

Study type

Aim of the study

Setting

Target population

Method of data collection

Outcomes

Quality

Aho et al. (2010) [52], Finland

Descriptive article

To describe the development and implementation of a bereavement follow-up intervention for grieving fathers

Five university medical centres, perinatal and neonatal unit

Fathers of children who died at age 3 or younger

N.A.

N.A.

N.A.

Cook et al. (2002) [53], UK

Descriptive article

To review local bereavements support practices over the last 5 years

Regional hospital, PICU

Parents of children who have died unexpectedly in the PICU

N.A.

N.A.

N.A.

Edi-Osagie et al. (2005) [59], UK

Descriptive article

To describe a template for a bereavement service

Tertiary care centre, NICU

Parents of children who have died in the NICU

N.A.

N.A.

N.A.

Gibson et al. (2011) [60], USA

Descriptive article

To describe the development of a NICU bereavement program

University hospital, NICU

Parents of children who have died in the NICU

N.A.

N.A.

N.A.

Levick et al. (2017) [54], USA

Descriptive article

To summarize and evaluate a comprehensive approach of bereavement services to NICU families and education/support to NICU staff

Regional children’s hospital, NICU

Parents of children who have died in the NICU

N.A.

N.A.

N.A.

Morris et al. (2016) [55], USA

Descriptive article

To discuss the goals of bereavement care and the need to standardize bereavement care in the paediatric setting, and describe their hospital wide bereavement model

Hospital, paediatric setting

Families of children who have died in a paediatric setting

N.A.

N.A.

N.A.

Reilly-Smorawski et al. (2010) [56], USA

Descriptive article

To evaluate experiences of both individuals and couples with a bereavement support group

Tertiary Centre, NICU

Parents of new-borns or infants who have died in the NICU.

N.A.

N.A.

N.A.

Snaman et al. (2017) [57], USA

Descriptive article

To review the three primary pillars of a parent-inspired and parent-derived bereavement program

University children’s hospital, oncology and palliative care unit

Parents of children who have died of cancer

N.A.

N.A.

N.A.

Stastny et al. (2016) [58], USA

Descriptive article

To provide a practical guideline for public health nurses (PHN) in performing home visits to bereaved parents

Home visits

Parents of children who have died of sudden infant death syndrome

N.A.

N.A.

N.A.