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Title
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Psychological support in end-of-life decision-making in neonatal intensive care units : full population survey among neonatologists and neonatal nurses
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Author
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Institution/Organisation
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NICU Consortium
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Abstract
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| Background: Moral distress and burnout related to end-of-life decisions in neonates is common in neonatologists and nurses working in neonatal intensive care units. Attention to their emotional burden and psychological support in research is lacking. Aim: To evaluate perceived psychological support in relation to end-of-life decisions of neonatologists and nurses working in Flemish neonatal intensive care units and to analyse whether or not this support is sufficient. Design/participants: A self-administered questionnaire was sent to all neonatologists and neonatal nurses of all eight Flemish neonatal intensive care units (Belgium) in May 2017. The response rate was 63% (52/83) for neonatologists and 46% (250/527) for nurses. Respondents indicated their level of agreement (5-point Likert-type scale) with seven statements regarding psychological support. Results: About 70% of neonatologists and nurses reported experiencing more stress than normal when confronted with an end-of-life decision; 86% of neonatologists feel supported by their colleagues when they make end-of-life decisions, 45% of nurses feel that the treating physician listens to their opinion when end-of-life decisions are made. About 60% of both neonatologists and nurses would like more psychological support offered by their department when confronted with end-of-life decisions, and 41% of neonatologists and 50% of nurses stated they did not have enough psychological support from their department when a patient died. Demographic groups did not differ in terms of perceived lack of sufficient support. Conclusion: Even though neonatal intensive care unit colleagues generally support each other in difficult end-of-life decisions, the psychological support provided by their department is currently not sufficient. Professional ad hoc counselling or standard debriefings could substantially improve this perceived lack of support. |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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Palliative medicine. - London
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Publication
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London
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Sage publications ltd
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2019
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ISSN
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0269-2163
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DOI
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10.1177/0269216319888986
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Volume/pages
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5 p.
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Article Reference
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UNSP 0269216319888986
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ISI
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000498351300001
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Pubmed ID
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31739740
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Medium
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E-only publicatie
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Full text (Publisher's DOI)
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Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
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