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Abstract
Objective:
To find out how often postgraduate trainees show a positive attitude toward Do Not Ventilate and Do Not Resuscitate decisions in neonatal intensive care units of tertiary care hospitals in Lahore.
StudyDesign:
Cross-sectional study.
Setting:
Department of Pediatrics, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Jinnah Hospital, and Services Hospital, Lahore.
Duration:
Three months after approval of the synopsis from April 2025 to July 2025.
Methods:
A total of 100 postgraduate trainees who had been working in neonatal intensive care units for at least six months were included using consecutive sampling. Information was collected through a structured form that recorded demographic details, clinical exposure, and attitude toward Do Not Ventilate and Do Not Resuscitate decisions. A positive attitude was noted when a participant scored six or more on the attitude scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Numerical variables were presented as mean and standard deviation, while categorical variables were shown as frequencies and percentages. The chi square test was applied for comparison, and a p value of 0.05 or less was taken as significant.
Results:
Out of 100 participants, most were pediatric trainees (80 percent) with an average age of 27.6 ± 2.4 years. Only a few had previously taken part in discussions about Do Not Resuscitate or Do Not Ventilate decisions with parents or relatives. A positive attitude, defined as a score of six or more, was seen in about 17 percent of the participants. Factors linked with a positive attitude included being in a higher year of training and having prior experience with end of life decision situations, both showing a significant association (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Postgraduate trainees showed limited awareness and a low rate of positive attitudes toward Do Not Resuscitate and Do Not Ventilate decisions in neonatal intensive care units. These findings emphasize the need for organized training sessions, ethical discussions, and workshops on end of life care to encourage compassionate and evidence based decision making in neonatal medicine.