title: Perinatal palliative care: barriers and attitudes of neonatologists and nurses in Poland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify barriers and personnel attitudes towards realization of palliative care principles in neonatological units.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous questionnaire was posted to all heads of departments and head nurses of all the 27 neonatological units in the Lodz area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We received 46 (85%) questionnaires. Final analysis comprised 42 properly filled-in questionnaires (by 22 doctors and 20 nurses). In case of prenatal diagnosis of a lethal defect, 77.27% of doctors and 65% of nurses opted for informing the mother also about the possibility of pregnancy continuation and organization of palliative care after delivery. Most of respondents accepted conditions for abortion pointed by the Polish law. The most common barriers pointed out by both groups were insufficient knowledge of the personnel on palliative medicine and family preference for life sustaining treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding attitudes of personnel towards palliative care and identification of barriers are a starting point for future efforts to improve the system of neonatological care.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Palliative Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Oncology, Hematology and Diabetology, Medical University of Lodz, 36/50 Sporna Street, 91-738 Lodz, Poland ; Gajusz Foundation, Pediatric Palliative Care Center, Home Hospice for Children of Lodz Region, 87 Dąbrowskiego Street, 93-271 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Korzeniewska-Eksterowicz
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Respondek-Liberska
authors.forename: Łukasz
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Przysło
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fendler
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Młynarski
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gulczyńska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D064701:Pediatric Nurse Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011044:Poland; D011247:Pregnancy