“One Size Doesn’t Fit All”— Partners in Hospice Care,an Individualized Approach to Bereavement Intervention

Abstract

We concluded in a recent study that a one-size-fits-all approach typical of group interventions often does not adequately accommodate the range of situations, life experiences, and current needs of participants. We describe how this limitation informed the design and implementation of an individually delivered intervention format more specifically tailored to the unique needs of each bereaved person. The intervention comprises one of the three interrelated studies within Partners in Hospice Care (PHC), which examines the trajectory from end-of-life care through bereavement among cancer caregivers using hospice. The PHC intervention employs an initial needs assessment in order to tailor the session content, delivery, and sequencing to the most pressing, yet highly diverse needs of the bereaved spouses/partners. Although an individually delivered format has its own challenges, these can be effectively addressed through standardized interventionist training, regular communication among staff, and a flexible approach toward participants’ preferences and circumstances.