Journal of Perinatology advance online publication 25 February 2016;
doi: 10.1038/jp.2016.13
Health professionals’ perspectives on bereavement following loss from a twin pregnancy: a qualitative study
Richards,Graham,Embleton and RankinTopof page
Abstract
Objective:
To provide an in-depth understanding of the perspectives of health professionals caring for parents who have lost a baby from a twin pregnancy, either during pregnancy or in the neonatal period.
Study Design:
A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews. Twenty-six health professionals were interviewed from maternity and neonatal departments in one hospital. Data were analyzed using a generative thematic approach.
Results:
Three main themes were identified from the data: health professionals’ lack of confidence in their interactions with bereaved parents; their desire to learn more about bereavement; and a consideration of sensitive health-care practices for bereaved parents.
Conclusions:
Health professionals acknowledged that parents who experience the loss of a twin have specific needs, some of which can be addressed by relatively small changes to clinical practices and behaviors. They felt, however, that they needed education about bereavement in order to react more effectively to bereaved parents’ needs.