Laure Dombrecht1,2, Joachim Cohen1, Filip Cools3, Luc Deliens1,2, Linde Goossens4, Gunnar Naulaers5, Kim Beernaert1,2, Kenneth Chambaere1,2. 1. End-of-Life Care Research Group, Ghent University and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Ghent, Belgium. 2. Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 3. Department of Neonatology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium. 4. Department of Neonatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. 5. Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract
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.
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.
Entities:
Keywords:
Perinatal death; decision-making; end-of-life care; intensive care units; neonatal; psychological support system; questionnaire design
Authors: Rui Song Ryan Ong; Ruth Si Man Wong; Ryan Choon Hoe Chee; Chrystie Wan Ning Quek; Neha Burla; Caitlin Yuen Ling Loh; Yu An Wong; Amanda Kay-Lyn Chok; Andrea York Tiang Teo; Aiswarya Panda; Sarah Wye Kit Chan; Grace Shen Shen; Ning Teoh; Annelissa Mien Chew Chin; Lalit Kumar Radha Krishna Journal: BMC Med Educ Date: 2022-06-17 Impact factor: 3.263