Parents' experiences of healthcare provider actions when their child dies: an integrative review of the literature.

PURPOSE

To review, critique and synthesise current research studies that examine parental perceptions of healthcare provider actions during and after the death of a child.

CONCLUSIONS

Five main themes were synthesised from the literature: staff attitudes and affect; follow-up care and ongoing contact; communication; attending to the parents; and continuity of care.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

This review helps to identify important aspects of paediatric end-of-life care as recognised by parents, with the intention of placing the family at the centre of any future end-of-life care education or policy/protocol development.