title: Health Professionals' Practices and Attitudes About Miscarriage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purposes of the study were to explore relationships between attitudes, beliefs, and practices of healthcare professionals caring for women and families experiencing miscarriage and to identify gaps and barriers in follow-up services and supports for these women and families.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey about beliefs, attitudes, and practices regarding women and families experiencing miscarriage and barriers to care was conducted electronically and through distribution in three emergency departments (EDs). There were 174 participants; physicians (n = 50), RNs (n = 63), midwives (n = 38), nurse practitioners (n = 9), and others (n = 4).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants believed that miscarriage can have high impact on women and families. They provided information to patients about miscarriage and its present and future implications. The most important predictor for mobilization of support by healthcare professionals was confidence. Nurses in EDs reported the least amount of confidence and knowledge to provide women and families with support. Availability and awareness of specific services by professionals and health system issues were identified as barriers to care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Education of healthcare professionals, particularly of RNs in EDs, is important to address misconceptions about miscarriage, increase confidence in providing support, and promote effective care. Women and families experiencing miscarriage need privacy and timeliness in care. Interventions such as funded midwifery loss care or a routine telephone follow-up call could improve access to care and help healthcare professionals ensure that families obtain the type and amount of support that they need.
authors.affiliation: Joyce Engel is an Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. The author can be reached via e-mail at jengel@brocku.ca Lynn Rempel is an Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rempel
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004645:Empathy; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009864:Ontario; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult