Development of the Japanese Version Bereavement Risk Assessment Tool: A Pilot Survey for Family Members of Cancer Patients

Abstract

Objective: To develop and to examine the feasibility of the Japanese version Bereavement Risk Assessment Tool (BRAT-J). Methods: Pilot survey was performed at three palliative care units and one home care clinic. Medical staff performed an assessment by using the Japanese version of BRAT (BRAT-J) to examine bereavement risk among families of cancer patients. Results: 25 individuals who had a cancer patient in their family participated in this survey. Of those 25 participants, 7 (28%) were classified as minimal risk, 8 (32%) were low risk, 9 (36%) were moderate risk and 1 (4 %) was high risk. Chi-square was used to test the association between risk level and each items of BRAT. Two items of BRAT, ‘heightened emotional states (anger, guilt, anxiety) as typical response to stressors’ and ‘lack of social support/social isolation (perceived or real)’ were significantly associated with the family member’s risk level. Conclusion: This was a pilot survey to examine the feasibility of BRAT-J in practice. Further qualitative investigation needs to be conducted to determine the appropriate support required for each risk level among the bereaved individuals.