Physiotherapists’ knowledge and experiences of palliative care in neonatal intensive care units: a qualitative study
Abstract
Objective: To explore physiotherapists’ knowledge and experiences regarding neonatal palliative care in the neonatal intensive care unit setting. Methods: A qualitative study using content analysis as a methodological reference. The sample consisted of 12 physiotherapists working in intensive care units in two cities in the northern region of Paraná. Data were collected from January to March 2024 through semi-structured interviews and organized using the IRaMuTeQ® software. Results: The analyses led to the identification of five categories: 1) Neonatal Palliative Care: Comfort and Quality of Life; 2) Emotional Aspects and Reflections on Neonatal Palliative Care; 3) Challenges in and Strategies for Family Communication in Palliative Care; 4) Physiotherapeutic Practice in Hospital and Home Settings within the Context of Neonatal Palliative Care; and 5) Challenges and Strategies for Neonatal Palliative Care Implementation. Conclusions: Physiotherapists demonstrate relevant knowledge of neonatal palliative care, although institutional gaps and the need for further training remain. Expanding their participation in palliative care discussions may support the development of guidelines, strengthen training, and improve the quality of care.
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BibTeX
@article{morais2026physiotherapists,
title = {{Physiotherapists’ knowledge and experiences of palliative care in neonatal intensive care units: a qualitative study}},
author = {Lorena Oliveira Bezerra Morais and Adriana Valongo Zani and Fernanda Pegoraro de Godoi Melo and Natália Trindade and Vanessa Suziane Probst},
journal = {Revista Paulista de Pediatria},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1590/1984-0462/2026/44/2025359},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-0462/2026/44/2025359},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Physiotherapists’ knowledge and experiences of palliative care in neonatal intensive care units: a qualitative study
AU - Lorena Oliveira Bezerra Morais
AU - Adriana Valongo Zani
AU - Fernanda Pegoraro de Godoi Melo
AU - Natália Trindade
AU - Vanessa Suziane Probst
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Revista Paulista de Pediatria
DO - 10.1590/1984-0462/2026/44/2025359
UR - https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-0462/2026/44/2025359
AB - Objective: To explore physiotherapists’ knowledge and experiences regarding neonatal palliative care in the neonatal intensive care unit setting. Methods: A qualitative study using content analysis as a methodological reference. The sample consisted of 12 physiotherapists working in intensive care units in two cities in the northern region of Paraná. Data were collected from January to March 2024 through semi-structured interviews and organized using the IRaMuTeQ® software. Results: The analyses led to the identification of five categories: 1) Neonatal Palliative Care: Comfort and Quality of Life; 2) Emotional Aspects and Reflections on Neonatal Palliative Care; 3) Challenges in and Strategies for Family Communication in Palliative Care; 4) Physiotherapeutic Practice in Hospital and Home Settings within the Context of Neonatal Palliative Care; and 5) Challenges and Strategies for Neonatal Palliative Care Implementation. Conclusions: Physiotherapists demonstrate relevant knowledge of neonatal palliative care, although institutional gaps and the need for further training remain. Expanding their participation in palliative care discussions may support the development of guidelines, strengthen training, and improve the quality of care.
SN - 1984-0462
SN - 0103-0582
ER -