Australian General Practitioner Perspectives on their Support for Bereaved Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey

As Australia's population ages, the number of deaths is increasing, leading to a growing demand for bereavement services. General practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of healthcare contact for individuals experiencing grief and bereavement.

This White Paper reports on the results of a study that aimed to assess the perspectives and practices of Australian GPs in providing bereavement support. A structured, eight-question survey was distributed to GPs, with quantitative responses analysed descriptively and free-text responses assessed using summative content analysis. Findings revealed that GPs identified bereavement-related concerns using a range of clinical indicators, often relying on their professional judgment rather than formal assessment tools. Nearly all respondents arranged follow-up visits and provided information or counselling to bereaved patients. However, significant barriers to effective bereavement care were noted, including cost constraints and a lack of appropriate referral services.

Despite their frontline role in bereavement support, GPs face challenges in connecting patients with specialised services. To enhance bereavement care, broader system-level reforms and targeted resources are needed to better integrate GPs with available bereavement services, ensuring more comprehensive and accessible support for grieving individuals.