Training Brazilian health professionals for perinatal and neonatal loss care: Designing a pilot program
1
Department of Psychology, UFCSPA (Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre), Porto Alegre/ Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
2
Postgraduation Program in Psychology and Health, UFCSPA (Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre), Porto Alegre/ Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
3
Psychology Graduation Course, UFCSPA (Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre), Porto Alegre/ Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2308
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Perinatal and neonatal losses can cause intense parental suffering. The literature indicates that health professionals often lack sufficient technical and emotional training to address the needs of parents facing such losses.
OBJECTIVE:
To describe the development of a pilot training program for Brazilian health professionals working in hospital settings with families experiencing perinatal and neonatal loss.
METHODS:
A systematic literature review was conducted (PROSPERO CRD420251010001) according to PRISMA guidelines. Searches in the SciELO, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, and BVS databases, as well as the Brazilian CAPES Theses and Dissertations Database, were performed to map training initiatives supporting health professionals in perinatal and neonatal loss care. Publications from 2015-2024 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish were considered. Five articles and two master’s dissertations were included and analyzed. In addition, a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive, cross-sectional study investigated the experiences of 12 health professionals involved in the care of families who experienced perinatal or neonatal loss. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis.
RESULTS:
The systematic review identified few training initiatives for health professionals to improve parental care in perinatal and neonatal loss. Empirical data revealed limitations in professionals’ technical training and feelings of helplessness when caring for bereaved parents. These findings informed the development of a pilot training program tailored to the Brazilian context, with a modular, interactive, and practice-oriented approach, addressing empathetic care for bereaved families and health professionals’ self-care.
CONCLUSIONS:
Following validation by expert judges, implementation and evaluation of this pilot program, this initiative is expected to improve perinatal and neonatal care in Brazil to mitigate the impact of these losses on families and healthcare teams.
Perinatal and neonatal losses can cause intense parental suffering. The literature indicates that health professionals often lack sufficient technical and emotional training to address the needs of parents facing such losses.
OBJECTIVE:
To describe the development of a pilot training program for Brazilian health professionals working in hospital settings with families experiencing perinatal and neonatal loss.
METHODS:
A systematic literature review was conducted (PROSPERO CRD420251010001) according to PRISMA guidelines. Searches in the SciELO, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, and BVS databases, as well as the Brazilian CAPES Theses and Dissertations Database, were performed to map training initiatives supporting health professionals in perinatal and neonatal loss care. Publications from 2015-2024 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish were considered. Five articles and two master’s dissertations were included and analyzed. In addition, a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive, cross-sectional study investigated the experiences of 12 health professionals involved in the care of families who experienced perinatal or neonatal loss. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis.
RESULTS:
The systematic review identified few training initiatives for health professionals to improve parental care in perinatal and neonatal loss. Empirical data revealed limitations in professionals’ technical training and feelings of helplessness when caring for bereaved parents. These findings informed the development of a pilot training program tailored to the Brazilian context, with a modular, interactive, and practice-oriented approach, addressing empathetic care for bereaved families and health professionals’ self-care.
CONCLUSIONS:
Following validation by expert judges, implementation and evaluation of this pilot program, this initiative is expected to improve perinatal and neonatal care in Brazil to mitigate the impact of these losses on families and healthcare teams.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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