title: A descriptive study evaluating perinatal healthcare providers' perspectives of palliative programming in 3 Canadian institutions.
abstract: A paucity of research has evaluated the perspectives of the broader healthcare team regarding perinatal palliative care. This study examines the views of healthcare providers involved in perinatal palliative care in 3 tertiary care hospitals in Canada. Developing an understanding of their perspectives of care provision, as well as the interactions that took place with families and other teams while providing perinatal palliative care, was of interest. Twenty-nine healthcare providers were involved in 4 focus groups and 5 individual interviews. Data were transcribed and content analysis was undertaken. The overarching theme of communication materialized from the data. Within this theme were 3 subthemes, each highlighting an aspect of communication that impacted care provision: connecting through proximity, protected time and dedicated space, and flexibility and formality. The study also describes a model of integrated perinatal palliative care program development and explains where each of the 3 sites falls along this continuum. The development of formal programs in these facilities is varied and recommendations are included to enhance communication and assist in providing improved and integrated programming.
authors.affiliation: Transition & Palliative Care, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Ms Stenekes); Manitoba Health, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Dr Ens); Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Palliative Care Program, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Dr Harlos); Manitoba Palliative Care Research Unit, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Dr Chochinov); and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (Dr Mytopher).
authors.forename: Simone J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Stenekes
authors.forename: Carla D L
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Ens
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harlos
authors.forename: Harvey Max
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Chochinov
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mytopher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D024382:Professional Role; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research