Worker experiences of the work health and safety impacts of exposure to dying and death in non-clinical settings: a qualitative scoping review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Workers in varied non-clinical settings are often exposed to dying and death in the community. This scoping review aimed to explore the physical and psychosocial Work Health and Safety impacts of exposures to death on workers in non-clinical occupational roles, and their coping strategies. Electronic databases PsycINFO (Ovid), Medline (Ovid), AMED (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), and ProQuest Social Sciences were searched for peer reviewed research articles published between March 1971 and April 2022. PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed. Three authors independently assessed articles for inclusion. Fifteen studies with exposure settings in first response, disaster relief, social services, funeral work and teaching were identified. Five main themes were developed and organised using a systems approach: Environment, Workplace, Job Demands, Impacts, and Coping. These findings demonstrate that exposure to the dying, the dead and their families in non-clinical settings impacts workers emotionally, physically, and behaviourally, suggesting the need for mitigation through work redesign.