Perinatal bereavement care skills, training needs, and workplace support in an Italian descriptive study

Introduction Perinatal bereavement is a complex clinical and emotional experience that affects not only parents but also healthcare professionals working in maternal and child healthcare. Despite growing international attention to bereavement care, many healthcare professionals report inadequate preparation, limited organizational support, and insufficient confidence in caring for families following a perinatal death. Objective To describe self-reported bereavement-care skills, attitudes toward training, awareness of learning needs, and workplace support among healthcare professionals and near-graduation students. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Italy between January and April 2026 among healthcare professionals and near-graduation students in maternal and child healthcare. The sample comprised 126 participants. Participants completed an Italian adaptation of the Perinatal Bereavement Care Confidence Scale (PBCCS). Descriptive statistics, internal consistency analysis, and non-parametric inferential tests were performed. Open-ended responses were examined using exploratory thematic content analysis with T-LAB Plus. Results The descriptive mean of the 44 adapted questionnaire items was 2.23 (SD = 0.263; possible range 1–3; α = 0.86). Block means were 2.51 for knowledge, 2.22 for skills, 2.55 for self-awareness, and 1.68 for organizational support. These summaries do not constitute validated measures of overall professional confidence. Exploratory omnibus comparisons were significant across professional groups (p = 0.009); the years-of-service comparison was not statistically significant (p = 0.210). The principal reported needs concerned organizational support, training, and emotional coping. Conclusion The item and block descriptions highlight needs for structured training, reflective and emotional support, and multidisciplinary protocols. The 44-item mean is a descriptive summary of heterogeneous questionnaire content, not a validated measure of overall professional confidence. The cross-sectional study does not establish effects on confidence, quality of care, or staff well-being.