Concept Analysis of End-of-Life Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Purpose: In this study aimed, we conduct a conceptual analysis of end-of-life care in the neonatal intensive care unit and clarify the definition.

Methods: Fifty-five documents were analyzed using the concept analysis approach of Rogers.

Results: Eight attributes were identified: “promotion of attachment formation,” “support for the acquisition of parental roles and family formation,” “collaborative decision-making between family and medical professionals based on the best interest of the child,” “alleviation and elimination of the child’s physical pain,” “support for the child’s final days with the family,” “grief care for families who have lost a child,” “family-centered-care for family mental and physical care,” and “multidisciplinary collaborative support.” Five prior requirements and four consequences were extracted.

Conclusions: This concept was defined as “promotion of attachment, parent role acquisition, and family formation, collaborative decision-making between family and medical personnel based on the best interest of the child, support for the child to reach the end-of-life with the family without pain, and grief care for the family, based on family-centered-care and multidisciplinary collaboration.”