Morte em neonatologia: vivências dos profissionais de saúde na prestação de cuidados paliativos neonatais

Introduction: It has recently been shown that professionals working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units show an increasing interest in decisions made at the end of life and in the quality of care provided to newborns and their families. Objetives: To understand the experiences of health professionals regarding neonatal palliative care. Methods: The research methodology was qualitative, exploratory-descriptive and phenomenological. Results: Questionnaires were applied and analyzed to 15 professionals working at a NICU in central Portugal. The data obtained show lack of teaching and lack of protocols/guidelines, as well as the need of psychological support to professionals and family of the NB. Conclusion: Continuous and specific training, support and psychological counseling of professionals and families should be the pillar of neonatal palliative care.