Parental needs in infant's end-of-life and bereavement in NICU: A qualitative study

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.

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.

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).

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.