Evaluating a creative arts bereavement support intervention

Abstract

This article describes the evaluation of an innovative bereavement support group established in a hospice setting. The design of the group sessions was informed by the Dual Process Model and combined a range of creative arts activities with psycho-education. Evaluation was undertaken in two stages. An initial pilot group was evaluated informally, using participant questionnaires. The success of this pilot led to two further groups that have been evaluated in a randomised controlled trial, the results of which will be published in due course. This article explores some of the issues and dilemmas raised by evaluation in this context and discusses the importance of evaluation to developing a sound evidence base for innovative bereavement support work.

Keywords:

• Creative arts
• psycho-education
• evaluation
• randomised controlled trial
• hospice