Harnessing the power of grief: a framing model and call to action.
Publication Title
Neurosurgical focus [electronic resource]
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2026
Keywords
washington; swedish
Abstract
In this article, the authors explore the topics of grief and loss through individual vignettes, sharing stories of grief ranging from the loss of identity, the loss of a parent or loved one, and the cultural divides that make nuanced care decisions more challenging, to working in systems that may fail us and our patients. They explore the idea of nested spheres of grief that span from the individual to societal and cultural realms. Each vignette reflects the depth and complexity of their personal experiences and emotions. These moments of grief may result in moral distress, but also present opportunities to rethink and reinvent flawed systems. The authors' individual experiences of grief have brought them together to form a community of like-minded practitioners across multiple disciplines. They seek to honor their losses and harness the power of grief to improve the care they provide patients and each other. The nested model of interconnecting spheres of grief they propose may prove useful as a framing device to help all of us name our often nuanced, challenging, and complex experiences with grief. The paper concludes with a call to action, which is voiced as a priority moving forward.
Area of Special Interest
Neurosciences (Brain & Spine)
Area of Special Interest
Mental Health
Specialty/Research Institute
Neurosciences
Specialty/Research Institute
Behavioral Health
DOI
10.3171/2026.5.FOCUS26144
