Duelo perinatal: Perspectivas de los profesionales de la Salud

Abstract

Introduction: Professionals play a significant role in the perinatal mourning. The relationship they established with parent in this process is critical in facilitating or hindering the quality of health care in this context. Objective: to understand the perspective of health care professionals in relation to perinatal grief. Method: A literature review was carried out in CINAHL, CUIDEN, PsycINFO, PubMed and the Google Scholar databases. A thematic analysis of the selected articles was carried out, allowing to define common thematic categories in these articles. Results: 46 scientific articles, published in the last ten years, were obtained. Three topics were identified: 1) feelings experienced by professionals, including anxiety, guilt, anger, resignation, physical symptoms, frustration, avoidance and emotional pain; 2) needs related to support, such as emotional support, formal training and work experience that allows for a better approach with families and parents; and 3) facilitators of the process, where training, years of professional experience, self-confidence, peer support, multidisciplinary team, religious beliefs and institutional support stand out. Conclusion: Perinatal grief is a complex situation for parents who demand sensitive care. Professionals play a key role in comprehensive support for them, being a demanding process both personally and professionally. Undergraduate and postgraduate training is suggested, encouraging dialogue and support among teams. This would benefit family and professionals, providing effective and quality care in a situation of perinatal grief.