Shared decisions in neonatal intensive care − bioethical approach

Authors

  • Carmen Carvalho Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto
  • Ana Cristina Freitas Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto
  • Liliana Pinho Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto
  • Ana Novo Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v30.i1.20315

Keywords:

bioethics, decision-making, narrative medicine, neonatal intensive care, newborn

Abstract

Technological and therapeutic advances in neonatal intensive care have led to a decrease in neonatal morbidity and mortality in recent decades. Along with technical and scientific expertise, it is important to provide a holistic and comprehensive approach to the care of the newborn and family. The purpose of this review is to describe and analyze strategies to improve decision-making within a shared process between health professionals and caregivers at neonatal intensive care setting.

The decision-making process is not linear or immutable over time and there is no consensus on the definition of ‘shared decision’. More unanimous is the role of communication as a atherapeutic relationship pillar. Professional ethics, bioethics, and narrative medicine should be used as tools to address the vulnerabilities of families and professionals and as a way to consolidate and structure the human relational dimension intrinsic to medical practice.

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Author Biography

Carmen Carvalho, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto

Neonatologista do CMIN- Centro Hospitalar do Porto

Elemento da Direção da Sec Neonatologia da SPP

Elemento do Colégia da Subespecialidade de Neonatologia

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Published

2021-04-06

How to Cite

1.
Carvalho C, Freitas AC, Pinho L, Novo A. Shared decisions in neonatal intensive care − bioethical approach. REVNEC [Internet]. 2021Apr.6 [cited 2024Mar.29];30(1):39-43. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/nascercrescer/article/view/20315

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