Parentsʼ and familiesʼ experiences of care by health care professionals in the hospital setting following perinatal death: A systematic review

Abstract

Review question/objective The overall objective is to determine from the best available evidence, the impact of care and/or support provided by health care professionals in the hospital setting on parents and families following perinatal death.More specifically, the objectives are to identify: 1. The effectiveness of care and/or support provided in the hospital setting to parents and families following a perinatal death 2. The meaningfulness of care and/or support provided in the hospital setting to parents and families following perinatal death 3. The appropriateness of care and/or support provided in the hospital setting to parents and families following perinatal death Criteria for considering studies for this review Types of participants The review will focus on studies where mothers and/or fathers and/or significant others have experienced a perinatal death for any reason. The support/care will have been initiated within the acute health care setting. Inclusion: Perinatal death refers to the birth of a baby of 20 weeks gestation or more, which either dies before birth or in the neonatal period. Care or support will have been initiated within the hospital setting, including birth centres. Exclusion: Pregnancy loss before 20 weeks or loss of baby after 28 days. Types of ‘intervention’/phenomena of interest/components of care Any study that investigates a link between any supportive measures provided by health care professionals, including but not limited to: Emotional Support: o Counselling o Psychotherapy psychological support Maternal/Physical care: o assistance with recovery; o inhibiting lactation; o follow up visits Baby Care: o Memorabilia photographs foot/hand prints Statutory Requirements: o Funeral arrangements o disposal of body Spiritual Care: o Healing interventions o Rituals Social Support: o Family o Significant others Education Communication Types of outcome measures Grief Bereavement Social adjustment/impact Satisfaction with care Depression Anxiety Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Psychological impact Stress Qualitative – the experience Helpful behaviours Effects on subsequent pregnancies eg. anxiety