Implementing a Palliative Care Education Program in the NICU and Why It Is so Important: A Literature Review

Aim: To review the literature relevant to palliative care educational programs for nursing staff and families in the NICU. Background: Few hospitals have a palliative care educational program that is in place despite the increasing need for one. Neonatal staff are not educated or prepared to provide end-of-life care (EOLC) and support to family members. There is a lack of literature that looks at parents' perception of EOLC and the potential benefit that proper education may have had on their experience. Methods: Sixteen articles were reviewed, including 7 cohort studies, 5 expert opinions, 1 experimental trail, 1 case-controlled study, 1 literature review, and 1 case study. Conclusion: Implementation of a palliative care education program can provide the necessary tools for neonatal staff to provide EOLC. This education can reduce the stress and anxiety that staff feel about EOLC. With proper education, the neonatal staff can then provide the necessary support for family members. Relevance to Clinical Practice: EOLC is part of all NICUs, and neonatal staff should receive proper education on how to handle such situations.