@article{ART003171406},
author={Ha Jung-Yoo and SON HYUN MI},
title={Exploring Communication in End-of-Life Care by Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses},
journal={Global Health and Nursing},
issn={2233-5560},
year={2025},
volume={15},
number={1},
pages={35-48},
doi={10.35144/ghn.2025.15.1.35}
TY - JOUR
AU - Ha Jung-Yoo
AU - SON HYUN MI
TI - Exploring Communication in End-of-Life Care by Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses
JO - Global Health and Nursing
PY - 2025
VL - 15
IS - 1
PB - Research Institute of Nursing Science
SP - 35
EP - 48
SN - 2233-5560
AB - Purpose: This qualitative study explores nurses’ communication in neonatal end-of-life care within neonatal intensive care units.
Methods: Twenty-one experienced nurses from two tertiary hospitals participated. Data were collected through six focus group interviews between January and August 2019, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis based on Anderson’s modified information theory model.
Results: Nurse-doctor communication within neonatal intensive care units was marked by inconsistent messages and insincere feedback. Passive communication dynamics, unpredictable neonatal conditions, diminished commitment to care, unshared care plans, and rigid communication systems were identified as factors impeding the communication process. Communication among nurses was constrained by emotional stress and heavy workloads, thus fostering an environment wherein mourning infant deaths was difficult and reluctance to engage in conversations arose to avoid emotional pain. Nurse-parent communication faced additional barriers, including hesitation in delivering bad news and inadequately conveying comfort, compounded by parents’ overwhelming grief and diminished trust in nurses as well as insufficient support systems, and ineffective communication skills. Additionally, preparation for effective communication included fostering deeper empathy toward grieving families, offering psychological support to nurses, and promoting closer interdisciplinary collaboration. Moreover, nurses suggested raising awareness among medical staffs about neonates’ end-of-life care and implementing structured education and guidelines to enhance communication practices in this sensitive context.
Conclusions: Effective communication in neonatal end-of-life care necessitates discussions among medical staff, development of communication guidelines, psychological support for nurses, and training in communication skills.
KW - Keywords: Newborn;Terminal care;Communication;Nurses;Qualitative research
DO - 10.35144/ghn.2025.15.1.35
ER -
Ha Jung-Yoo and SON HYUN MI. (2025). Exploring Communication in End-of-Life Care by Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses. Global Health and Nursing, 15(1), 35-48.
Ha Jung-Yoo and SON HYUN MI. 2025, "Exploring Communication in End-of-Life Care by Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses", Global Health and Nursing, vol.15, no.1 pp.35-48. Available from: doi:10.35144/ghn.2025.15.1.35
Ha Jung-Yoo, SON HYUN MI "Exploring Communication in End-of-Life Care by Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses" Global Health and Nursing 15.1 pp.35-48 (2025) : 35.
Ha Jung-Yoo, SON HYUN MI. Exploring Communication in End-of-Life Care by Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses. 2025; 15(1), 35-48. Available from: doi:10.35144/ghn.2025.15.1.35
Ha Jung-Yoo and SON HYUN MI. "Exploring Communication in End-of-Life Care by Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses" Global Health and Nursing 15, no.1 (2025) : 35-48.doi: 10.35144/ghn.2025.15.1.35
Ha Jung-Yoo; SON HYUN MI. Exploring Communication in End-of-Life Care by Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses. Global Health and Nursing, 15(1), 35-48. doi: 10.35144/ghn.2025.15.1.35
Ha Jung-Yoo; SON HYUN MI. Exploring Communication in End-of-Life Care by Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses. Global Health and Nursing. 2025; 15(1) 35-48. doi: 10.35144/ghn.2025.15.1.35
Ha Jung-Yoo, SON HYUN MI. Exploring Communication in End-of-Life Care by Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses. 2025; 15(1), 35-48. Available from: doi:10.35144/ghn.2025.15.1.35
Ha Jung-Yoo and SON HYUN MI. "Exploring Communication in End-of-Life Care by Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses" Global Health and Nursing 15, no.1 (2025) : 35-48.doi: 10.35144/ghn.2025.15.1.35
