TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of neonatologists' religiosity and spirituality on health care delivery for high-risk neonates
AU - Donohue, Pamela K.
AU - Boss, Renee D.
AU - Aucott, Susan W.
AU - Keene, Elizabeth A.
AU - Teague, Paula
PY - 2010/10/1
Y1 - 2010/10/1
N2 - Background: Ethical decision-making regarding life-sustaining therapies (LST) for high-risk neonates can be challenging for both neonatologists and parents. Parents depend on neonatologists to interpret complex information, identify critical opportunities for decision-making, and present options for care. How neonatologists' belief systems affect care delivery for critically ill newborns is unexplored. Objective: To characterize the relationship between neonatologists' religiosity or spirituality and the provision of intensive care services for high-risk newborns. Methods: Neonatologists practicing at an American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal-Perinatal Training Program were surveyed about their religious/spiritual beliefs, provision of LST for critically ill neonates, and communication with families. Results: Two hundred ninety-eight neonatologists responded to the survey; 66.4% consider themselves very or moderately spiritual, 40.8% very or moderately religious. In response to a hypothetical prenatal consultation for a fetus at 23 1/7 weeks gestation, 96.3% agreed that the physician has a moral obligation to present all options to parents, including the provision of comfort care. More than 95% had no objection to withholding or withdrawing LST, with religion playing almost no part in these decisions. 38% of participants reported no objection to resuscitating an infant with trisomy 13 or 18; 40% of these neonatologists considered themselves very/moderately religious, 60% slightly/not at all religious. Eighty-nine neonatologists reported that their religious beliefs influence their medical practice. These physicians had similar responses as those not influenced by religion. Conclusion: For the majority of neonatologists participating in this study, differences in critical care practice cannot be attributed to personal religious or spiritual views.
AB - Background: Ethical decision-making regarding life-sustaining therapies (LST) for high-risk neonates can be challenging for both neonatologists and parents. Parents depend on neonatologists to interpret complex information, identify critical opportunities for decision-making, and present options for care. How neonatologists' belief systems affect care delivery for critically ill newborns is unexplored. Objective: To characterize the relationship between neonatologists' religiosity or spirituality and the provision of intensive care services for high-risk newborns. Methods: Neonatologists practicing at an American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal-Perinatal Training Program were surveyed about their religious/spiritual beliefs, provision of LST for critically ill neonates, and communication with families. Results: Two hundred ninety-eight neonatologists responded to the survey; 66.4% consider themselves very or moderately spiritual, 40.8% very or moderately religious. In response to a hypothetical prenatal consultation for a fetus at 23 1/7 weeks gestation, 96.3% agreed that the physician has a moral obligation to present all options to parents, including the provision of comfort care. More than 95% had no objection to withholding or withdrawing LST, with religion playing almost no part in these decisions. 38% of participants reported no objection to resuscitating an infant with trisomy 13 or 18; 40% of these neonatologists considered themselves very/moderately religious, 60% slightly/not at all religious. Eighty-nine neonatologists reported that their religious beliefs influence their medical practice. These physicians had similar responses as those not influenced by religion. Conclusion: For the majority of neonatologists participating in this study, differences in critical care practice cannot be attributed to personal religious or spiritual views.
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U2 - 10.1089/jpm.2010.0049
DO - 10.1089/jpm.2010.0049
M3 - Article
C2 - 20831436
AN - SCOPUS:78049261450
SN - 1096-6218
VL - 13
SP - 1219
EP - 1224
JO - Journal of palliative medicine
JF - Journal of palliative medicine
IS - 10
ER -