A survey of newly trained local Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) counselors was undertaken by the North Carolina Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Project to evaluate the use of the autopsy report as a counseling tool. The counselors, most of whom were public health nurses, reported that sharing the autopsy report with bereaved parents was a valuable part of the counseling process. Most parents wanted to see copies of the report. Although not all counselors were comfortable going over the report, there was a significant increase in comfort among counselors whose training included sharing a home visit with an experienced counselor.
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