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Religious-based denial in the NICU: implications for social work
1Children's Hospital of Eastern North Carolina, Greenville 27835.
Social Work in Health Care
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Families facing infant end-of-life decisions in the NICU may use religious denial. This article explores death, denial, healthcare team responses, and the social worker's crucial role in supporting families and staff.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- Medical Ethics
- Psychology of Grief
Background:
- Critically ill infants in the NICU necessitate difficult treatment decisions, including withdrawal of care.
- Families may experience intense emotional distress when faced with these life-altering choices.
- Some families utilize religious denial, specifically an unwavering belief in miracles, as a coping mechanism.
Observation:
- This coping strategy can be detrimental, hindering acceptance of the infant's prognosis.
- Healthcare teams may struggle with their reactions to families employing religious denial.
- Understanding the dynamics of death, denial, and family responses is crucial.
Findings:
- Religious denial presents unique challenges in end-of-life care for critically ill infants.
- Healthcare professionals require support in navigating these complex family dynamics.
- Social workers play a vital role in managing personal feelings, advocating for families, and consulting with staff.
Implications:
- Effective communication and psychosocial support are essential for families experiencing grief and denial.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration is key to providing holistic care in neonatal intensive care settings.
- Social work interventions can facilitate healthier coping mechanisms and improve patient care outcomes.