LAUSR

CONTEXT Caring for dying neonates is distressing for doctors and nurses, or healthcare professionals (HCP)s caring for them. Yet, the extent of these effects is poorly understood, compromising the support of HCPs. To better understand and support HCPs, a systematic scoping review (SSR) of prevailing data is proposed. OBJECTIVES In mapping prevailing data on the impact of caring for dying neonates an SSR proffers new insights on changes to a HCP's beliefs, values, coping, actions, relationships and self-concepts of personhood and offers means to better to support them. METHODS Krishna's Systematic Evidenced Based Approach (SEBA) supports a robust, reproducible review whilst its constructivist approach and relativist lens effectively contends with diverse data sources facilitating a holistic study. RESULTS 9826 abstracts were reviewed and 69 articles were included and were analysed using thematic and content analysis simultaneously . The four categories drawn from the RToP complements the four themes identified which were Emotional and Physical difficulties, Coping mechanisms, Conflict and Recommendations. These domains provide insights into the impact and coping of the HCPs. CONCLUSION In highlighting significant longitudinal effects upon all aspects of HCPs' lives, this SSR in SEBA reveals that need for timely, appropriate and personalised support. We recommend adapting the RToP as an assessment tool to identify and evaluate the doctors and nurses needs and help structure a holistic support mechanism and suggest that future studies are required to validate its use and appraise other aspects of the support available for HCPs.