Professionals’ practices and views regarding neonatal post mortem – can we improve consent rates by improving training?

Hannah Spierson, Susan Kamupira, Claire Storey, Alexander Heazell

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Abstract

Background In the UK, rates of neonatal post mortem (PM) are low. Consent for post mortem is required and all parents should have the opportunity to discuss whether to have a PM examination of their baby. Objectives We aimed to explore neonatal healthcare professionals’ experiences, knowledge and views regarding the consent process for post-mortem examination after neonatal death. Method An online survey was conducted of neonatal healthcare providers in the UK. Responses were analysed from 103 healthcare professionals, 84 of whom were doctors. The response rate was 11.7% of British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) members. Results Perceived barriers to PM included cultural and religious practices of parents as well as a lack of rapport between parents and professionals. 69.4% of respondents had observed a PM; these professionals had improved satisfaction with their training and confidence in counselling (P <0.001 and P <0.001) but not knowledge of the procedure (P=0.77). Healthcare professionals reported conservative estimates of the likelihood that a PM would identify significant information regarding the cause of death. Conclusions Confidence of neonatal staff in counselling could be improved by observing a PM. Training for staff in developing a rapport with parents and addressing emotional distress may also overcome significant barriers to consent for PM.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)314-345
Number of pages4
JournalNeonatology
Volume115
Early online date15 Mar 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • Autopsy
  • Consent
  • Counselling
  • Post-mortem
  • Neonatal Death

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