Mapping the ripple effects of a compassionate university for serious illness, death, and bereavement.
Hanne BakelantsSarah DuryKenneth ChambaereLiesbeth De DonderDeliens LucSteven VanderstichelenSilke MarynissenJoachim CohenFilip Van DroogenbroeckPublished in: Palliative care and social practice (2024)
The Compassionate University program facilitates a cultural shift within the university environment, fostering greater acceptance of integrating topics such as serious illness, death, and bereavement into existing practices. Additionally, compassionate procedures and policies for students and staff have been formalized, and core team members are increasingly called upon to provide support on these matters. Notably, Compassionate University stands out as one of the pioneering initiatives in Europe, attracting different educational institutions seeking guidance on cultivating a more compassionate environment.