Perinatal bereavement care as a challenge for public health and the humanization of care
Keywords:
Public Health, psychological support, comprehensive care, staff training, healthcare professionals, protocolsAbstract
The article analyzed perinatal grief as a challenge for public health and the humanization of care, highlighting its profound emotional impact on families and the lack of clear strategies for its management in the healthcare setting. The main objective of the research was to explore how healthcare professionals manage this type of grief and how their care practices can be improved. A qualitative methodology was employed, using structured surveys with 41 healthcare professionals from the Imbabura province, Ecuador. The results showed that, despite basic knowledge of the topic, most professionals lack adequate training and established protocols to provide effective emotional support during the perinatal grief process. This hinders the comprehensive care of affected families. The study's conclusions emphasized the urgency of improving institutional protocols for managing this grief, as well as the need to train healthcare professionals in providing emotional and psychological support to families experiencing perinatal loss. Recommendations included the implementation of continuous training programs, strengthening psychological support networks, creating group support spaces, and integrating practices that promote the humanization of care. The research highlights the importance of addressing this issue with a more comprehensive and human-centered approach, tailored to the emotional and psychological needs of grieving families.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Katherine Valeria Estévez-Freire, Marjorie Fernanda Angamarca-Morán, Karla Lorena Aguirre-Toapanta, Karla Alejandra Arellano-Valencia
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