학술논문
Gasping in Dying Children: Health Care Professionals' Feelings and Knowledge.
Document Type
Article
Author
Source
Subject
*STATISTICS
*MEDICAL quality control
*TERMINAL care
*PROFESSIONS
*ATTITUDES of medical personnel
*DYSPNEA
*DESCRIPTIVE statistics
*QUESTIONNAIRES
*DEATH
*PSYCHOLOGY of the terminally ill
*PARENTS
*CHILDREN
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Language
ISSN
1096-6218
Abstract
Purpose: To assess the feelings and knowledge of health care professionals (HCPs) about gasping in dying patients in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Methods: A 9-item questionnaire addressed to 488 HCPs (physicians, nurses, and nursing assistants) of 2 NICUs and 2 PICUs. Questions were about HCPs' feelings when confronted with gasping, their knowledge, and their opinions on what to tell family members. Results: Responses were obtained from 248 staff members. Of the respondents, 43% felt that gasping was painful to the patient and most felt that witnessing gasps was distressing for the parents, and 77% reported being distressed by witnessing gasps. Conclusions: Efforts are needed to educate HCPs about the physiology of gasping, to help them to cope with gasping, and to give better support to parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]