How do Turkish parents make end-of-li̇fe care decisions for their neonates

There is a need to collect and analyze the information about by whom and how the end of life decisions of newborns are made in Turkey, with a focus on ethical aspects of this decision. Hence, to explore the decisional mechanisms, emotions, values and religious beliefs that affect the parents' decisions to limit or withdraw life support of their newborn babies in Turkey, a qualitative study was conducted as part of this doctoral thesis. In conclusion, although the processes through which Turkish parents make end of lifecare decisions were found to be influenced by a multitude of diverse intrinsic and extrinsic factors, there were noted to be common behavioral patterns that guided decision making by the parents in this study. Informing the parents adequately, and providing ethical, psychologic and religious guidance and support were identified as courses of actions that would facilitate ethical decision-making.