Evaluation of an education session using standardized patients and role play during perinatal bereavement

Nurses have voiced their lack of comfort during perinatal loss and communicating with families during this period. A mid-western organization provided bereavement education to its perinatal nurses, which included a didactic session, followed by two perinatal loss scenarios with standardized patients, and debriefing. Participant's knowledge (p = 0.000) and comfort (p = 0.000) levels significantly improved after the education session. Observations during the standardized patient scenarios, demonstrated that the majority of nurses used appropriate communication techniques with the bereaved mother that was reviewed throughout the education session. An education session that includes standardized patients acting out a perinatal loss may be an effective approach in promoting perinatal nurses comfort level in providing effective bereavement care and communication.