{
  "abstract": "Objectives The death of a child from cancer is a devastating event with long-term psychological and social consequences for parents. While bereavement support is increasingly recognised as a standard of care in paediatric oncology, structured programmes remain limited and heterogeneous.Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of bereaved parents of paediatric oncology patients treated at our institution. A structured questionnaire, developed by a multidisciplinary team, explored experiences with bereavement initiatives and preferences for supportive activities.Results Of 156 questionnaires distributed, 74 were returned (47% response rate). Mothers completed 51% of the surveys, fathers 35% and both parents jointly 14%. Although 70% of parents reported no perceived need for formal bereavement support, 56% found volunteer activities and 62% ongoing contact with healthcare staff to be helpful. Preferred support options included counselling with a psychologist (38%), commemorative ceremonies (34%), peer groups (30%) and self-help groups (26%). Parents bereaved for more than 3 years expressed greater interest in peer meetings and contact with clinicians. No significant gender differences were observed.Conclusions Parental bereavement needs are frequently underestimated and may extend beyond traditional counselling. A proactive and diversified model—integrating psychological care, peer mentorship and structured contact with healthcare teams—should be systematically offered to improve adaptation and reduce isolation among bereaved parents.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Marta Giorgia Podda"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Olga Nigro"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Biostatistics for Clinical Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Francesco Barretta"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Elisabetta Schiavello"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Paolo Grampa"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Roberto Luksch"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Monica Terenziani"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Andrea Ferrari"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Michela Casanova"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Filippo Spreafico"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Cristina Meazza"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Veronica Biassoni"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Stefano Chiaravalli"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Luca Bergamaschi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Valeria Colombo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Nadia Puma"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Giovanna Gattuso"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Giovanna Sironi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Psychology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Carlo Alfredo Clerici"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Martina Lombardi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Giuseppe Forzini"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Maura Massimino"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Bereavement in paediatric oncology: programme evaluation",
  "uid": "97965d5e-a8bf-5f4f-be8d-f2c91f5fb955"
}