Parental needs in infant’s end‑of‑life and bereavement in NICU: A qualitative study

Marzieh Hasanpour, .; Narges Sadeghi, .; Mohammad Heidarzadeh, .

Parental needs in infant’s end‑of‑life and bereavement in NICU: A qualitative study

Authors

. Marzieh Hasanpour ¹

. Narges Sadeghi ²

. Mohammad Heidarzadeh ³

¹ School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan,

² Student Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Nursing, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University

³ Department of Pediatrics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranDepartment of Neonatal Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran,

Abstract

Background and Aims: Newborn death is an unexpected outcome for parents. Parents face
with several needs in infant end‑of‑life. The health care team is responsible for meet these
needs. This qualitative study aim was to explore of parental needs in infant end‑of‑life and
bereavement. Materials and Methods: For this qualitative study, 24 single semi‑structure
interviews were done. A qualitative content analysis method was used. Sampling conducted
on purposeful with maximum variation in five Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) environments
in Isfahan city. Inclusion criteria for nurses and doctors were having at least one experience of
caring for an infant and their family at end‑of‑life. Inclusion criteria for parents and their families
were having at least one infant at end‑of‑life or had lost their infant for 6 months before in
NICU. Results: Data analysis uncovered two main themes. Family’s support needs with two
subthemes (family’s support needs before infant’s death and family’s support needs after infant’s
death) and family’s preparatory needs upon infant’s death with two subthemes (management
of the bad news of infant’s death by treatment team and management of the bad news of
infant’s death by family). Discussion: Mourning mother’s need for her husband’s presence
by her side, getting hospitalized in a separate room, and management of infant’s death news
by father and family were among items rarely pointed out in other studies. Exploration of these
needs cab be helpful for the health care team for providing care.

Keywords

Bereavement

end‑of‑life

family

infants

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

qualitative research

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