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Parkes' Phases of Grief — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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HardBereavementParkes' Phases of GriefSCE Palliative Medicine

Fourteen months after her partner’s death, a woman has persistent intense yearning, daily preoccupation and marked social and occupational impairment. She also reports hopelessness. What is the best assessment response?

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Correct answer: B — Assess grief, depression, trauma, functioning and suicide risk

Explanation lettering: E = shown as B · B = shown as C · C = shown as D · D = shown as E

E is correct. Persistent yearning and preoccupation with substantial impairment well beyond the acute bereavement period warrant a multidimensional assessment, including prolonged grief, depressive and trauma symptoms, cultural context, functioning, substance use and suicide risk. A ignores clinically important persistence and disability. B collapses distinct syndromes, C treats descriptive models as mandatory stages, and D bypasses formulation and safety assessment.

Reference: NHS: grief after bereavement or loss: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/grief-bereavement-loss/