Death Notification Simulation:: Interdepartmental Collaboration in The Social Work Curriculum

Death notification
simulation:
Interdepartmental collaboration in
the social work curriculum
Presented by:
Catherine A. Macomber, MSW, LMSW
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Saginaw Valley State University
Overview
• Welcome and Introduction
• Why this topic?
• Outline of Death Notification Simulation
• Who participates and how is this accomplished?
• Death Notification Simulation Module
• Bringing this simulation to your institution
• Brainstorming other simulation exercises
• Wrap up and Questions
Introduction
• Who am I?
• Who are you?
• Why are you here?
Why this topic?
Outline of Simulation
• Pre-simulation
• Simulation facilities
• Recruiting participants
• Review of preparation materials
• Day of Simulation
• Introduction – warning of content
• Checklist for Nursing and Social Work
• Conduct the simulation
• Debrief with small group
• Debrief with classroom
• Evaluation
• Remind students of resources for trauma
Interdisciplinary Simulation:
Death Notification
Why work together?
•Evidence has supported
interdisciplinary care as it relates to
improved patient outcomes.
•Challenge: Integrating
interprofessional education to
enhance the interprofessional health
care approach to care.
•Possible Solution: Working as an
interdisciplinary team in a simulated
patient centered environment with
the mutual goals of improved patient
outcomes, enhanced teamwork and a
greater understanding of one
another’s role as health care
professionals.
Social Work & Nursing
A common interest: “ Caring, One study found that

as part of the humanity found interprofessional education
in both nursing and social work among social work and nursing
professionals, is often based on students lead to role
relationships with patients” enhancement among each
(p.2659). discipline, as well as greater
understanding of one another's
role as health care
professionals.
(Chan, E., Mok, E., Po-ying, A. & Man-chun, J. , 2009)

Emotional Impact of Simulation
If you have experienced a death notification in the past
and feel as though this would be difficult for you to view
or participate in, please feel free to leave the room while
the simulation is being viewed. You will return to class
following the break in order to participate in the
debriefing.
Resources:
• Student Counseling Center: 989-964-7078
Click icon to add
Strategies for Death picture
Notification
Step 1: Preparation
Step 2: Initiating contact
Step 3: Delivering the news
Step 4: Responding to survivor’s reactions
and providing support
Step 5: Provision of ongoing support
Step 6: Dealing with the notifier’s response
(Roe, p. 4)
(Roe, p. 4)
Making the Call
o Do not delay, contact next of kin as soon as

possible.
o Initial phone contact should be made by the
social worker, Chaplin or the bereavement nurse.
o Assists in waiting to deliver news of death
until family arrives:
“I’m not his nurse/doctor and don’t yet have details about his
situation to give you,” p. 25.
(Leash, 1996)
Acute Grief: What to Expect
Psychological Reactions: Behavioral Reactions:
• Anger • Agitation
• Anxiety • Crying
• Apathy
• Fatigue
• Denial
• Guilt • Social withdrawal
• Numbness
• Sadness
(McDowell, K.H., 2004, p. 39)

How to Respond
• Know that everyone will grieve
differently
• Extreme emotions may occur,
reassure the survivor that this
is “normal”
• Allow the survivor to express
emotions
• Be present and allow for
silence
• Utilize therapeutic nonverbal
communication
(Back, K.J., 1991 & Helpguide.org, 2010)

Resources
Association for Death Education and Counseling
Helpguide.org
References
Back, K.J. (1991). Sudden, unexpected pediatric death: caring for the
parents. Pediatric Nursing, 17(6), 571-575.
Chan, E., Mok, E., Po-ying, A. & Man-chun, J. (2009). The use of
interdisciplinary seminars for the development of caring dispositions in
nursing and social work students. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(12),
2658-2667.
Helpguide.org (2010). Retrieved February 11 th from
http://helpguide.org/mental/helping_grieving.htm.
Leash, R.M. (1996). Death notification: practical guidelines for health care
professionals. Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, 19(1), 21-34.
Roe, B. (accepted for publishing 2011). Practical strategies for death
notification in the Emergency Department. Journal of Emergency
Nursing.
Bringing this simulation to your institution
• Please work with four of your neighbors to discuss the following:
• What do we like about the simulation as presented?
• What resources (material resources such as room, technology, etc.) do we have that
could be used for this simulation?
• What internal departmental resources to we have to devote to this simulation?
• What interprofessional resources (working with other departments) do we have or
do we need to develop to conduct this simulation?
• Can we conduct the simulation as is or would we need to make changes to it?
• If we need to make changes to it, what changes would need to be made?
• What other questions or concerns do we have about this simulation?
Brainstorming other simulations
Wrap up and Questions

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Death notification

A common interest: “ Caring, One study found that

(Chan, E., Mok, E., Po-ying, A. & Man-chun, J. , 2009)

o Do not delay, contact next of kin as soon as

(McDowell, K.H., 2004, p. 39)

(Back, K.J., 1991 & Helpguide.org, 2010)

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