Evidence · Systematic review or meta-analysis
Considerations for Practice in Supporting Parental Bereavement in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit-a Systematic Review.
- Allied health
- Comfort and nursing care
- Communicating with families
- Families and professional practice
- Family-integrated care
- Medical
- Nursing
- Palliative and end-of-life care
Summary
This systematic review synthesises 47 studies (1990-2021) on parental bereavement after the death of an infant in the NICU, drawing on parents' first-hand experiences. Key themes include giving parents time to care for their baby, understanding their perception of infant suffering, the impact of communication with healthcare professionals, and access to alternative sources of support. Parents value a private, safe space to say goodbye, support with decision-making and bereavement follow-up after loss. It offers practice considerations for neonatal multidisciplinary teams supporting bereaved families.
Summary written for NICUlearn. Always read the original.
- Licence:
- Open (Creative Commons)
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