Degree Date
7-2026
Document Type
Dissertation - Public Access
Degree Name
Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy
Academic Discipline
Community Psychology
First Advisor
Judith Kent
Second Advisor
Suzette Fromm Reed
Third Advisor
Judah Viola
Abstract
Research on primary care providers’ (PCPs) education regarding Death, Grief, and Loss (DGL) remains limited. Specifically, data is lacking regarding patients' perceptions and opinions on what they need and expect from their PCPs regarding grief and loss. This exploratory mixed-method study comprised 146 participants who had experienced death and non-death loss. It examined participants' perceptions of 1) PCP compassion, 2) PCP utilization of evidence-based grief and loss practices, 3) their own level of comfort discussing DGL with their PCPs during medical visits, and 4) their personal grief and loss experiences. The findings revealed that PCPs' grief-informed evidence-based treatment, as reflected in their behavior and practice during medical visits, predicted patients’ perceptions of providers’ compassion. Further, PCPs’ compassionate care predicted patients’ comfort discussing DGL-related topics with them during medical visits. These findings suggest that DGL knowledge during medical visits increases patients’ comfort in sharing their experiences and needs. They further suggest that DGL education may increase PCPs' compassion in communicating with grieving patients and their families. This study provides compelling evidence that DGL education benefits PCPs professionally and personally, enhancing evidence-based, grief- and loss-informed practice and informing how the medical field can better support grieving patients.
Recommended Citation
Krzykala, Kathryn, "Exploring Primary Care Providers’ Compassionate Care and Their Evidence-Based Practice with Death, Grief, and Loss: Patient Experience and Perspective" (2026). Dissertations. 1019.
https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/1019
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