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A review and synthesis of current research in compassion, loss, and grief

A review and synthesis of current research in compassion, loss, and grief

Dutta, Oindrila ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2925-2477, Patinadan, Paul Victor and Ho, Andy H. Y. (2022) A review and synthesis of current research in compassion, loss, and grief. In: Harris, Darcy L. and Ho, Andy Hau Yan, (eds.) Compassion-Based Approaches in Loss and Grief. Routledge - Taylor & Francis Group, New York. ISBN 978-1003204121 (doi:10.4324/9781003204121-6)

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Abstract

Oindrila Dutta and Paul Patinadan share first authorship for this chapter Compassion is most salient within the health ecosystem of loss, grief, and palliation, being a core concept, a call-to-action, and a mandated moral attribute for care professionals. The value, and its constituent elements, however, continue to be nebulous in clinical and academic definition. This chapter discusses the findings of a rigorous scoping review of five major academic databases, investigating qualitative studies dating back four decades. Of the 678 studies identifies, 11 were extracted for analysis via thematic synthesis. Six themes were revealed: (a) Micro-compassionate action, (b) discernable humanity, (c) patient connectedness, (d) patient dissension, (e) institutional compassion facilitators, and (f) institutional compassion deterrents, which were consolidated into the Relational Model of Micro-Compassionate Agency. The model is discussed along with clinical implications for facilitating micro-compassionate behaviors; though the actions are simple, the value judgments and moral fortitude required to perform them instinctively and intrinsically require supportive training and sustained practice.

Item Type: Book Section
Uncontrolled Keywords: behavioral sciences, health and social care, Humanities, Social Sciences
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group: Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences
Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified: 13 Mar 2026 14:29
URI: https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/52345

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