Parents' needs and perceived gaps in communication with healthcare professionals in the neonatal (intensive) care unit: A qualitative interview study

Algamdi M, Owaydh Almutiry S. Workshop-based participatory research design through the lens of a culture-centered approach (CCA)

PURPOSE

Nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) play a crucial role in health communication, yet their voices are often overlooked. This study explores communication challenges from nurses' perspectives to develop a sustainable communication infrastructure.

METHODS

A workshop-based participatory design (WBPD) was used, where NICU nurses worked collaboratively to identify communication barriers. Thematic analysis was conducted using the culture-centered approach (CCA) to ensure context-specific solutions, integrating both researcher insights and NICU-based communication infrastructure design.

FINDINGS

A multilevel communication infrastructure model was developed to enhance nurse-parent interactions in the NICU. Key findings highlight that effective communication hinges on three interconnected factors: (1) nurses' skills and access to resources, (2) institutional policies supporting standardized protocols and mentorship programs, and (3) systemic mechanisms for fostering shared understanding. Participants advocated for structured training, culturally responsive practices, and language support tools to address diverse needs. The proposed model integrates learner-centered training, interprofessional collaboration, communicative algorithms, and healthy boundaries to establish a cohesive, inclusive framework.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurse-led, multilevel interventions are essential for improving NICU communication. The proposed model enhances training, policies, and culturally responsive strategies, supporting more effective nurse-parent interactions and improved neonatal care. Beyond the NICU, this framework offers a transferable model for enhancing communication in other high-stress healthcare environments, ensuring more inclusive and structured communication practices across diverse settings.

Effects of reasoned treatment decision-making on parent-related outcomes: Results from a video-vignette experiment in neonatal care

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of clinicians' provision of (un)reasonable arguments on parent-related outcomes in neonatal (intensive) care (NICU), starting from the NICU Communication Framework.

METHODS

A video-vignette experiment, in which we systematically varied clinicians' use of (reasonable, unreasonable, no) argumentation across two non-acute and two acute decision-making scenarios (3×4 design). Reasonable arguments were medically appropriate and constructive reasons to support the treatment plan, as defined by an expert panel. Based on argumentation theory, unreasonable arguments included hindering appeals to authority or the self-evident nature of the treatment plan. Parents of preterm infants completed an online survey, viewing 1 of 12 video-vignettes and answering questions pertaining to their communication stress, understanding, agreement, participation in communication, empowerment, trust and satisfaction with communication.

RESULTS

N = 163 parents completed the full survey. We found statistically significant (p < 0.001) and large (η2: 0.13-0.38) effects of clinicians' use of argumentation across all parent-related outcomes. Reasonable argumentation led to lower communication stress and higher understanding, agreement, participation in communication, empowerment, trust, and satisfaction with communication than no argumentation. In turn, no argumentation led to improved outcomes compared to unreasonable argumentation. This pattern was similar across non-acute and acute scenarios.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians' use of reasonable argumentation has a consistently strong and positive impact on parent-related outcomes in neonatal care.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

We argue that reasoned decision-making should be considered a good clinical practice, core to patient-centered communication. Our findings provide a starting point for (1) determining good argumentative practices and (2) designing evidence-based clinical argumentation trainings.

Optimising neonatal services for very preterm births between 27+0 and 31+6 weeks gestation in England: the OPTI-PREM mixed-methods study

Aim

To investigate, for preterm babies born between 27+0 and 31+6 weeks gestation in England, optimal place of birth and early care.

Design

Mixed methods.

Setting

National Health Service neonatal care, England.

Methods

To investigate whether birth and early care in neonatal intensive care units (tertiary units) compared to local neonatal units (non-tertiary units) influenced gestation-specific survival and other major outcomes, we analysed data from the National Neonatal Research Database, for 29,842 babies born between 27+0 and 31+6 weeks gestation and discharged from neonatal care between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2018. We utilised an instrumental variable (maternal excess travel time between local neonatal units and neonatal intensive care units) to control for unmeasured differences. Sensitivity analyses excluded postnatal transfers within 72 hours of birth and multiple births. Outcome measures were death in neonatal care, infant mortality, necrotising enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, severe brain injury, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and receipt of breast milk at discharge. We also analysed outcomes by volume of neonatal intensive care activity. We undertook a health economic analysis using a cost-effectiveness evaluation from a National Health Service perspective and using additional lives saved as a measure of benefit, explored differences in quality of care in high compared with low-performing units and performed ethnographic qualitative research.

Results

The safe gestational age cut-off for babies to be born between 27+0 and 31+6 weeks and early care at either location was 28 weeks. We found no effect on mortality in neonatal care (mean difference -0.001; 99% confidence interval -0.011 to 0.010; p = 0.842) or in infancy (mean difference -0.002; 99% confidence interval -0.014 to 0.009; p = 0.579) (n = 18,847), including after sensitivity analyses. A significantly greater proportion of babies in local neonatal units had severe brain injury (mean difference -0.011; 99% confidence interval -0.022 to -0.001; p = 0.007) with the highest mean difference in babies born at 27 weeks (-0.040). Those transferred in the first 72 hours were more likely to have severe brain injury. For 27 weeks gestation, birth in centres with neonatal intensive care units reduced the risk of severe brain injury by 4.2% from 11.9% to 7.7%. The number needed to treat was 25 (99% confidence interval 10 to 59) indicating that 25 babies at 27 weeks would have to be delivered in a neonatal intensive care unit to prevent one severe brain injury. For babies born at 27 weeks gestation, birth in a high-volume unit (> 1600 intensive care days/year) reduced the risk of severe brain injury from 0.242 to 0.028 [99% confidence interval 0.035 to 0.542; p = 0.003; number needed to treat = 4 (99% confidence interval 2 to 29)]. Estimated annual total costs of neonatal care were £262 million. The mean (standard deviation) cost per baby varied from £75,594 (£34,874) at 27 weeks to £27,401 (£14,947) at 31 weeks. Costs were similar between neonatal intensive care units and local neonatal units for births at 27+0 to 29+6 weeks gestation, but higher for local neonatal units for those born at 30+0 to 31+6 weeks. No difference in additional lives saved were observed between the settings. These results suggested that neonatal intensive care units are likely to represent value for money for the National Health Service. However, careful interpretation of this results should be exercised due to the ethical and practical concerns around the reorganisation of neonatal care for very preterm babies from local neonatal units to neonatal intensive care units purely on the grounds of cost savings. We identified a mean reduction in length of stay (1 day; 95% confidence interval 1.029 to 1.081; p < 0.001) in higher-performing units, based on adherence to evidence- and consensus-based measures. Staff reported that decision-making to optimise capacity for babies was an important part of their work. Parents reported valuing their baby's development, homecoming, continuity of care, inclusion in decision-making, and support for their emotional and physical well-being.

Conclusions

Birth and early care for babies ≥ 28 weeks is safe in both neonatal intensive care units and local neonatal units in England. For anticipated births at 27 weeks, antenatal transfer of mothers to centres colocated with neonatal intensive care units should be supported. When these inadvertently occur in centres with local neonatal units, clinicians should risk assess decisions for postnatal transfer, taking patient care requirements, staff skills and healthcare resources into consideration and counselling parents regarding the increased risk of severe brain injury associated with transfer.

Study registration

This study is registered as Current Controlled Trials NCT02994849 and ISRCTN74230187.

Funding

This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme (NIHR award ref: 15/70/104) and is published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research; Vol. 13, No. 12. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Needs of Parents and Neonates in the Intensive Care Unit: A Literature Review

The admission of a neonate to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) presents unique and complex needs for both the infant and their parents. This literature review aims to synthesize existing research to comprehensively understand these needs, focusing on parental psychosocial well-being, practical requirements, and the neonate's developmental necessities. Understanding these needs is crucial for optimizing clinical outcomes and fostering healthy parent-infant relationships. A nonsystematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO databases. Search criteria focused on "neonatal intensive care" and "parental needs." Articles published in English between 2011 and 2022 were included. The review analyzed 123 articles, primarily focusing on research conducted in Western countries. Parental needs were categorized into seven areas: mental health/psychosocial well-being, practical needs (physical, safety, monetary), parental involvement, relationships (infant, staff, peers), information, spiritual needs, and help with other responsibilities. Neonatal needs included parental involvement, skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and reduced length of stay. Key findings highlighted the prevalence of parental anxiety and depression, the importance of practical support, and the critical role of parental involvement in both parent and infant well-being. This review underscores the interconnectedness of parental and neonatal needs within the NICU environment. Parental involvement is essential for both groups, and factors such as hospital policies, community resources, and socioeconomic status significantly influence fulfilling these needs. The limitation of the review indicates the need for more diverse global research. Future studies should address these limitations and explore effective interventions to meet the identified needs, improving outcomes for NICU families. · The review identifies seven key parental needs in the NICU and four neonatal needs.. · It is important to provide support for the well-being of both parents and infants.. · Hospital policies, community resources, and socioeconomic status impact the ability to meet these..

The renewed Development Model for Integrated Care: a systematic review and model update

BACKGROUND

Organising integrated health services beyond domains in interorganizational networks, can be supported by conceptual models to overview the complexity. The Development Model for Integrated Care (DMIC) is a systematically developed generic model that has been applied to innovate and implement integrated care services in a large range of (international) healthcare settings. After a decade, it is important to incorporate new available literature in the model. Therefore, our aim was to update and further develop the DMIC by incorporating the current body of knowledge.

METHODS

A systematic literature review and subsequent stepwise systematic update of the DMIC.

RESULTS

The review of the literature resulted in 179 included studies and eventually 20 new elements for the development model, which could be positioned in the nine clusters. New elements address the importance of the social system and community of the client, proactive care during the life span, digital (care) services and ethical and value driven collaboration in interorganizational networks that cross domains. The added elements for integrated care build further on the nine thematic clusters and the model as a whole, expanded with new accents.

CONCLUSION

The renewed model emphasizes the connectedness of care within a larger eco-system approach and inter-organizational networks. The model captures current knowledge which can be supportive as a generic conceptual model to develop, implement or innovate integrated services towards health value in societies. Further, it can serve for healthcare services research purposes to reflect on an monitor developments in integrated care settings over time on multiple levels.

Maternal fetal medicine, obstetric, and neonatology perspectives on joint prenatal counseling at periviable gestational ages

OBJECTIVE

To explore perspectives of maternal fetal medicine specialists (MFMs), obstetricians (OBs), and neonatologists (Neos) about antenatal counseling at periviable gestational ages and examine how those perceptions impact multidisciplinary counseling.

STUDY DESIGN

Semi-structured interviews were conducted and thematic analysis performed until thematic saturation.

RESULTS

Interviews of 7 Neos and 8 OB/MFMs identified three themes: (1) roles in periviability counseling; (2) training and lifelong learning to develop/enhance communication skills; and (3) managing interdisciplinary dynamics. Participants agreed on consult content and the appropriate subspecialist to discuss specific topics but differed in their approaches. Subspecialty perspectives differed on resuscitation, survival, and developmental outcomes. Formal communication skills training was identified as a means to scaffold conversations into a uniform approach.

CONCLUSION

Despite near universal agreement that joint perviability counseling would be beneficial, logistical barriers and lack of a shared framework may hinder its implementation. Formal communication skills training may support organized joint counseling.

Unveiling parents' lived experience with preterm infant care and support in neonatal care units of public hospitals in Nepal: A phenomenological inquiry

BACKGROUND

Preterm infants (PTIs) require hospitalization in different levels of neonatal care units (NCUs) for their survival and developmental needs. The quality of care provided at NCUs significantly influences infant outcomes and parents' experiences. Parents' experience of received support and care of PTIs is one of the indicators for determining the quality of care at NCUs. The study aims to investigate parents' perspectives on the PTIs care and support received from nurses in NCUs of Nepal.

METHODS

A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted within the NCUs of three public tertiary hospitals in Kathmandu, Nepal. In-depth interviews were conducted among 25 purposively selected parents, (both mothers and fathers) of low-birthweight PTIs admitted to the NCUs. Data was collected from November 2019 to February 2020. The data were meticulously analyzed using the Colaizzi method.

FINDINGS

The exploration of parents' experiences identified three main theme areas: (1) Care and support, (2) Initial involvement in PTI care, and (3) Outcome of care involvement. Parents appreciated competent and affectionate PTI care as well as informational support. However, they had varied experiences with communication, emotional support, and opportunities for infant-parent attachment. Guidance and support for PTI care from nurses and peer-parents proved instrumental in mitigating uncertainties related to initial care learning and involvement in PTI care. Parents' involvement in hands on care of their PTIs boosted infant-parent attachment, empowered for care giving, and provided emotional solace.

CONCLUSION

Findings indicate that parents have positive experience with PTI care provided by nurses and their involvement in hands-on care of their PTIs. However, there are gaps in support expectations of parents including communication, emotional support, and care guidance. Findings have important implications for nurses, pediatricians, and policymakers for the enhancement of neonatal care practice by incorporating parental support and parents' involvement in hands on care of PTI across NCUs in Nepal.

Learning and working on an interprofessional training ward in neonatology improves interprofessional competencies

Introduction

Interprofessional education (IPE) is essential for healthcare professionals to prepare them for future interprofessional collaboration (IPC). Interprofessional training wards (ITWs) have been set up for IPE and results have been published. There are no published studies on ITWs in neonatology. We have designed and established the Interprofessional Training Ward in Neonatology (IPANEO) for nursing trainees (NT) and medical students (MS) in a neonatological intermediate care (IMC) ward. We report on the concept and the results with regard to the interprofessional competencies of the participants, including parent satisfaction.

Methods

Supervision by medical and nursing learning facilitators, 2week blocks each with 2 NT (n = 30) and 2 MS (n = 23) in their final year, ward-in-ward concept, 3 patients cared for. Evaluation of the participants (pre/post) with the Interprofessional Socialisation and Valuing Scale (ISVS), the Interprofessional Collaboration Scale (ICS) with questions on IP communication, accommodation and isolation as well as with an IPANEO-specific evaluation (IPQ), an external evaluation with the "Observational Questionnaire for Learning Facilitators" (OQLF) and a "Questionnaire on Parent Satisfaction" (PSQ) (n = 33).

Results

IPANEO participants showed significant increases in competencies in IP communication, accomodation and isolation (ICS), a better IP-collaboration and a higher role definition (IPANEO specific questionnaire). The ISVS 9A/B global scores increased. According to the self-assessment there were significant improvements in the external evaluation in all IP-categories (OQLF). The feedback from the parents was significantly positive (PSQ).

Conclusion

Interprofessional learning and working on IPANEO had a positive impact on interprofessional competencies with high parent satisfaction.

"You Have to Find a Way for This Child to Be at the Center": Pediatric Cardiologists' Views on Triadic Communication in Consultations on Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are present at birth and require ongoing management of personal, family, and medical aspects of care, including communication between family and medical staff. Effective communication is considered one of the main objectives of patient-centered care. Communication in pediatric medicine is especially challenging because it includes children and their parent(s), and children's cognitive and communication skills are still developing. Based on the model of behavior in pediatric communication , this study focused on pediatric cardiologists' views of the roles of children, parents, and physicians in the triadic encounter and their experiences in communicating information on pediatric CHDs in medical encounters. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 experienced pediatric cardiologists and cardiac surgeons (five women and 12 men) at three medical centers in Israel. The grounded theory approach was used to identify three main categories: (1) the positioning (centrality) of the child in the setting (ideal vs. actual situation), (2) addressing parents' emotional needs, and (3) the physician's role as mediator between parent(s) and child. In each category, three elements are discussed: The physician's agenda, obstacles and challenges, and the physician's practical methods. Physicians strongly support children's involvement in triadic encounters yet face challenges in effectively integrating them into the information exchange process during cardiology consultations. Struggling to balance the principles of patient- and family-centered care, and without clear guidelines, they rely on their personal beliefs and experiences to formulate communication strategies that address parents' and children's needs.

Communication at work: A survey to explore the relationships between healthcare providers' communication competence and professional quality of life in neonatal care

Objective

Providing medical care to preterm infants can be rewarding yet also stressful for healthcare providers in the neonatal care unit (NICU). While the impact of provider-parent communication on parent-related stress and satisfaction is widely accepted, little is known about the provider perspective. Therefore, this study explores the relationships between neonatal care providers' communicative competence and their professional quality of life and job satisfaction.

Methods

Using the NICU Communication Framework, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among N = 300 Dutch pediatricians‑neonatologists, nurses, and ancillary staff.

Results

Communication performance and providers' job satisfaction were correlated, particularly in terms of perceived quality of care, professional relationships, and personal rewards. When providers deemed communication important and perceived themselves as skilled communicators, job satisfaction increased. Experiencing sufficient time for conversations with parents was inversely correlated with provider fatigue and burn-out. Yet, providers reported insufficient opportunity for communication.

Conclusion

These results warrant reflection on the importance of communication in neonatal care, for the wellbeing of parents and providers alike.

Innovation

Focusing on the provider perspective, this study provides novel insights into the relationships between communication and outcomes of care. Our findings uniquely emphasize the power of communication to foster staff satisfaction and reduce burn-out in the NICU.

Formulating parents' feelings: Analyzing parent-nurse conversations in family-integrated neonatal care to develop communication training

Objective

The novel concept of Family-Integrated Care (FICare) requires nurses to be parents' partners in neonatal care. We combined analyses of real-life parent-nurse conversations and interviews to elucidate nurses' role in providing psychosocial support to parents. Findings inform the development of communication training on topicalizing parents' feelings.

Methods

Conversation analysis of 15 audio-recorded parent-nurse conversations, and thematic analysis of interviews with 2 nurses.

Results

In parent-nurse conversations, nurses showed a "balancing act" in formulating parents' feelings, revealing the complexities of addressing parents' feelings. Overall, parents confirmed nurses' formulations, but also expanded or modified them, or indicated restricted conversational space. In the interviews, nurses discussed four purposes of conversations with parents, emphasizing elaborating on parents' feelings, while discussing associated challenges.

Conclusion

Our conversation analysis revealed a continuum of nurses' formulations of parents' feelings, and nurses' reflections illuminated how and when the formulations were used to invite parents' "feelings talk".

Innovation

This study is the first to use conversation analysis to analyze parent-nurse conversations. Additionally, it pioneers combining these analyses with interviews, inviting nurses to reflect on how to incorporate the findings into FICare. This combination strongly informs the development of tailored communication training, drawing from real-life conversations and nurses' articulated needs.

Parents' information needs during the first year at home with their very premature born child; a qualitative study

Objective

To obtain insights into parents' information needs during the first year at home with their very preterm (VP) born infant.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with parents of VP infants participating in a post-discharge responsive parenting intervention (TOP program). Online interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Inductive thematic analysis was performed by two independent coders.

Results

Ten participants were interviewed and had various and changing information needs during the developmental trajectory of their infant. Three main themes emerged; (1) Help me understand and cope, (2) Be fully responsible for my baby, and (3) Teach me to do it myself. Available and used sources, such as the Internet, did not meet their information needs. Participants preferred their available and knowledgeable healthcare professionals for reassurance, tailored information, and practical guidance.

Conclusion

This study identified parents' information needs during the first year at home with their VP infant and uncovered underlying re-appearing needs to gain confidence in child-caring abilities and autonomy in decision-making about their infants' care.

Innovation

This study provides valuable information for healthcare professionals and eHealth developers to support parental self-efficacy during the first year after preterm birth.

Mind the gap: Comparing parents' information needs about impending preterm birth to current clinical practices using a mixed methods approach

Objective

To identify parents' information needs about impending very preterm birth and compare these needs to current information practices in the Netherlands.

Methods

Step 1: We surveyed N = 203 parents of preterm infants to assess their information needs. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Step 2a: We collected information resources from hospitals (N = 9 NICUs) and via an online search. These materials were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. Step 2b: We compared findings from Steps 1-2a.

Results

We identified four themes pertaining to parents' information needs: (1) participation in care, (2) emotional wellbeing, (3) experience/success stories, and (4) practical information about prematurity. Clinicians' communicative skills and time were considered prerequisites for optimal information-provision. Notably, hospital resources provided mainly medical information about prematurity with some emphasis on participation in care, while parent associations mainly focused on emotional wellbeing and experience/success stories.

Conclusion

While parents demonstrate clear information needs about impending very preterm birth, current information resources satisfy these partially.

Innovation

Our multidisciplinary research team included both scholars and veteran NICU parents. As such, we identified parents' information needs bottom-up. These parent-driven insights will be used to design an innovative, tailored information platform for parents about impending very preterm birth.

Confronting Adversity: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Receiving Difficult News in Neonatal Intensive Care Units

BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE

In neonatal intensive care, the communication of difficult news can have lingering repercussions throughout the lives of those receiving such information. Uncertainty and stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively influence this sensitive yet essential communication process.

PURPOSE

To analyze the communication of difficult news during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of parents of newborns admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit.

METHODS

A qualitative, descriptive research study was completed in a hospital in Brazil. Individual and semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 parents of newborns hospitalized in an intensive care unit and submitted to thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Three themes were built: "Tools and strategies to manage difficult news," "What makes difficult news hard to listen," and "The importance of being prepared to receive difficult news." When comparing these findings with prepandemic literature, the COVID-19 period changed communication dynamics, including coping tools and altered family dynamics. Additionally, assessing healthcare providers' positive and negative behaviors by parents could clarify essential skills to support the family's hospitalization process during a crisis.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH

Applying and investing in skills training such as spirituality assessment, providing clear and straightforward information, and empathy can reduce the impact of difficult news and, thus, requires both recognition and action from healthcare professionals. Knowing some of the effects COVID-19 had on the communication process for parents with critically ill infants, healthcare providers can better prepare themselves for communication in several scenarios and establish successful interactions.

Discharge criteria, practices, and decision-making in the transition of preterm infants to home

BACKGROUND

Early discharge to neonatal home care is common practice for preterm infants in Sweden but the evidence base for assessing infant and parent readiness is limited and there are no nationally defined discharge guidelines or criteria. To investigate potential facilitators and barriers in the transition to home, we examined discharge criteria, pre- and post-discharge practices, and staff decision-making.

METHODS

All (n = 36) Swedish units participated in this descriptive mixed method study based on semi-structured interviews with one physician and one registered nurse representing each unit.

RESULTS

Discharge criteria and practices varied, both between and within units. Staff were ambivalent about the timing of discharge and postponed giving discharge-related information to parents. The transition process was staff-driven, with limited parental involvement in care planning, and staff discontinuity delayed discharge. Home care combining telemedicine and home visits, adapted to the needs and preference of the family, was considered effective and appraised. Socially vulnerable families or those with limited language proficiency had restricted access to homecare.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for improved standardization of, and parental involvement in discharge planning for preterm infants. Earlier transfer of care responsibilities to parents should facilitate transition to home and shorten length of hospital stay.

IMPACT

Our findings provide insight into facilitators and barriers in preterm infants' transition from hospital to home. Staff were ambivalent about timing of discharge, and criteria and practices varied between and within units depending on local routines and staff preferences. The transition process was staff-driven, with limited parental involvement in care planning, and staff discontinuity caused delay. Home care models combining telemedicine and home visits, adapted to the needs of the family, was described as effective and appraised. Empowering parents by earlier transfer of care responsibilities and involvement in care planning, could facilitate transition to home and reduce length of stay.

Family caregivers' needs for information on pediatric cystic fibrosis: A qualitative study

Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects not just patients but also their families, highlighting the need for a comprehensive care approach. This descriptive qualitative study aimed to explore the informational needs of family caregivers of children with CF, focusing on how these needs can be addressed within a Patient and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) framework. The study was conducted at a public hospital in Brazil. Thirteen caregivers were interviewed, and their responses were analyzed using content analysis guided by PFCC principles. Analysis revealed three primary themes: Types of Information for Family Caregivers of Children and Adolescents with CF; sources of Information for Family caregivers of Children and Adolescents with CF; and Beyond Information: the need for emotional support and family-centered care in CF management. Caregivers sought comprehensive information about CF management from healthcare professionals and informal sources like social media. Our findings emphasize the diverse and evolving informational needs of family caregivers. Overall, this study underscores the necessity of incorporating PFCC principles, especially those addressing information sharing, in managing CF, extending beyond medical treatment to include emotional support and active family participation in care and decision-making processes.

Assessing the needs of grandparents of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units: a cross-sectional study

Background

Globally, there is an increasing trend in the incidence of premature births and low birth weight. Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care has become indispensable for these newborns. Nevertheless, this mode of care poses substantial economic, psychological, and health challenges to the families of preterm infants. Despite abundant evidence concerning the parents' needs in the NICU, the needs of grandparents-vital family members-are frequently disregarded. This exploratory study aimed to assess the grandparents' needs of preterm infants in the NICU, exploring the impact of demographic elements on these needs to offer guidance for clinical care practices.

Methods

This study employed a cross-sectional design and the Chinese version of the NICU Family Needs Inventory (NICU-FNI) to investigate the needs of grandparents. A total of 280 grandparents participated in the study, providing data by completing structured questionnaires related to their demographic profiles and needs. Statistical analyses were utilized to analyze the data, including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Pearson's correlation, and multiple linear regression.

Results

Six items about Assurance emerged as significant among the top 10 important needs, with two items for Information, one for Proximity, and one for Support; among the least important needs, nine items related to Comfort and Support were identified. The subscale "Assurance" achieved the highest mean score of 4.07 ± 0.49, followed by the subscales of "Information" and "Proximity," registering mean scores of 3.50 ± 0.47 and 3.50 ± 0.46, respectively. This explorative study identified a correlation between the needs for Assurance and employment status, place of residence, gestational age, and birth weight (p < 0.05). Employment status, place of residence, and gestational age were identified as significant correlates for Assurance (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The foremost need identified by grandparents is Assurance of quality care for preterm infants, closely followed by the demand for thorough Information and the ability to be in Proximity to the infant. This exploratory study highlights that mitigating the strain on families with preterm infants, as well as recognizing and meeting the needs of grandparents, is of paramount importance.

Enhancing early bonding between mothers and preterm infants: findings from a Multicentre Qualitative Study of Nurses

OBJECTIVES

this study aims to explore neonatal nurses' experiences of facilitating early bonding between mothers and premature babies.

METHOD

a descriptive qualitative approach was adopted, using focus group discussions with 13 participants from four referral hospitals in a major city in a developing country. This was followed by in-depth interviews with three participants.

RESULTS

three main themes emerged, highlighting the barriers and facilitators to early bonding between mothers and preterm infants. The study also explored care practices aimed at facilitating early bonding within the social environment of preterm infants, involving mothers, families, nurses and hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

the barriers and facilitators identified inform the development of intervention strategies for neonatal nurses to promote early bonding. Optimal early bonding requires enhanced nurse management skills, adequate hospital infrastructure and involvement of the patient's family. These findings contribute to the advancement of health and nursing knowledge.

Parent Perspectives on Communication Quality in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND

Though prior literature has demonstrated that communication in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) needs to be improved, in-depth descriptions of parents' views of NICU communication are lacking.

PURPOSE

We sought (1) to explore parent perceptions of communication in the NICU and (2) to understand parents' communication needs and preferences.

METHODS

We conducted in-depth semi-structured cognitive interviews utilizing concurrent probes with parents of 10 patients in our urban level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit over a period of 4 months (July 2021-October 2021). Interview questions were derived from the Quality of Communication scale. We conducted thematic analysis of interview transcripts modeled after work by Braun and Clarke.

RESULTS

Four overarching themes were identified: Strengths, Challenges, People, and Coping Strategies. Parents reported a range of communication quality in the NICU. Results revealed that the first 48 hours of NICU hospitalization represent a period of vulnerability and uncertainty for parents. Parents value clear yet hopeful communication about a baby's clinical status and expected course.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH

We hope that the concrete findings from this study can both inform practice in the NICU now and influence practice guidelines to include such components as emphasis on the first 48 hours, desire for proactive information sharing, and the importance of including hope.

'Not a goal, but a given': Neonatal care participation through parents' perspective, a cross-sectional study

AIM

To explore parents' perspectives regarding participation in neonatal care, with focus on the family integrated care (FICare) model utilised as a tool to enhance parent-infant closeness. Additionally, we describe experiences in different architectural settings.

METHODS

An online survey, categorised by four FICare pillars, was distributed through social media to parents of newborns hospitalised to Dutch neonatal wards between 2015 and 2020. Quantitative findings were summarised using descriptive statistics, while open-ended responses were thematically analysed.

RESULTS

Among the 344 respondents (98% mothers), most reported feeling involved in care (315/340). However, 79% also felt separated from their infant (265/337). Irrespective of architectural settings, parents reported incomplete implementation of FICare pillars: 14% was invited to educational sessions (parent education), 51% discussed family-specific care plans (staff education), 21% was facilitated in connecting with veteran parents (psychosocial support) and 22% received couplet-care (environment). Although 65% of parents were invited to attend clinical rounds, 32% actively participated in decision making. Thematic analysis revealed fundamentals for feeling welcome on the ward, peer-to-peer support, psychosocial support and participation in clinical rounds.

CONCLUSION

Overall, parents expressed satisfaction with participation in neonatal care. However, structural implementation of FICare lacks. Regardless of architecture, expanding parent participation beyond presence requires attention.

Optimistic vs Pessimistic Message Framing in Communicating Prognosis to Parents of Very Preterm Infants: The COPE Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

In the neonatal intensive care unit, there is a lack of understanding about how best to communicate the prognosis of a serious complication to parents.

Objective

To examine parental preferences and the effects of optimistic vs pessimistic message framing when providing prognostic information about a serious complication.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This crossover randomized clinical trial was conducted at a single German university medical center between June and October 2021. Eligible participants were parents of surviving preterm infants with a birth weight under 1500 g. Data were analyzed between October 2021 and August 2022.

Interventions

Alternating exposure to 2 scripted video vignettes showing a standardized conversation between a neonatologist and parents, portrayed by professional actors, about the prognosis of a hypothetical very preterm infant with severe intraventricular hemorrhage. The video vignettes differed in the framing of identical numerical outcome estimates as either probability of survival and probability of nonimpairment (optimistic framing) or a risk of death and impaired survival (pessimistic framing).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was preference odds (ratio of preference for optimistic vs pessimistic framing). Secondary outcomes included state anxiety, perceptions of communication, and recall of numerical estimates.

Results

Of 220 enrolled parents (142 [64.5%] mothers; mean [SD] age: mothers, 39.1 [5.6] years; fathers, 42.7 [6.9] years), 196 (89.1%) preferred optimistic and 24 (10.1%) preferred pessimistic framing (preference odds, 11.0; 95% CI, 6.28-19.10; P < .001). Preference for optimistic framing was more pronounced when presented second than when presented first (preference odds, 5.41; 95% CI, 1.77-16.48; P = .003). State anxiety scores were similar in both groups at baseline (mean difference, -0.34; -1.18 to 0.49; P = .42) and increased equally after the first video (mean difference, -0.55; 95% CI, -1.79 to 0.69; P = .39). After the second video, state anxiety scores decreased when optimistic framing followed pessimistic framing but remained unchanged when pessimistic framing followed optimistic framing (mean difference, 2.15; 95% CI, 0.91 to 3.39; P < .001). With optimistic framing, participants recalled numerical estimates more accurately for survival (odds ratio, 4.00; 95% CI, 1.64-9.79; P = .002) but not for impairment (odds ratio, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.85-2.63; P = .16).

Conclusions and Relevance

When given prognostic information about a serious complication, parents of very preterm infants may prefer optimistic framing. Optimistic framing may lead to more realistic expectations for survival, but not for impairment.

Trial Registration

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS): DRKS00024466.

Predictors of Improvement in Parental Stress After the First Three Months at Home with a Medically Fragile Infant

OBJECTIVES

Little is known about the early stress experiences of parents of infants with serious life-limiting/life-threatening conditions during the initial months after discharge from hospital. The aim of the study was to measure change, and predictors of change, in parenting stress at the time of transition from hospital to home (T1) with a medically fragile infant, and after a 3-month period (T2).

METHODS

Parents of infants identified as meeting ≥ 1 palliative care referral criterion were recruited in a Midwestern United States tertiary pediatric hospital (2012-2014) within 2 weeks of hospital discharge. A repeated measures design was used to assess change on a validated parenting stress inventory over the two timepoints (T1 and T2). Fifty-two parents (61 infants) participated at T1 and 44 (85%) at T2.

RESULTS

On discharge (T1) stress was moderately high 3 months post discharge (T2) overall and domain-specific stress scores improved, except stress related to parent role functioning and participation in their child's medical care. Independent predictors of improvement in overall parenting stress scores (T2-T1) were being a younger parent and having experienced prior pregnancy-related loss.

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

The time of discharge from hospital to home is often stressful for parents of medically fragile infants. Improvements were found during the first 3 months at home, but improvement was minimal for stress related to role function and providing medical care. Past experience with pregnancy-related loss and being younger were associated with improvement in stress across theoretical domains. Screening for stress should be included as part of routine pre- and post-neonatal intensive care unit discharge psychosocial assessments of parents caring for infants with serious illness to ensure their unique support needs continue to be met over time.

Nordic survey showed wide variation in discharge practices for very preterm infants

AIM

We aimed to describe clinical practices and criteria for discharge of very preterm infants in Nordic neonatal units.

METHODS

Medical directors of all 89 level-2 and level-3 units in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden were invited by e-mail to complete a web-based multiple-choice survey with the option to make additional free-text comments.

RESULTS

We received responses from 83/89 units (93%). In all responding units, discharge readiness was based mainly on clinical assessment with varying criteria. In addition, 36% used formal tests of cardiorespiratory stability and 59% used criteria related to infant weight or growth. For discharge with feeding tube, parental ability to speak the national language or English was mandatory in 45% of units, with large variation among countries. Post-discharge home visits and video-consultations were provided by 59% and 51%, respectively. In 54% of units, parental preparation for discharge were not initiated until the last two weeks of hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

Discharge readiness was based mainly on clinical assessment, with criteria varying among units despite similar population characteristics and care structures. This variation indicates a lack of evidence base and may unnecessarily delay discharge; further studies of this matter are needed. Earlier parental preparation and use of interpreters might facilitate earlier discharge.

The use of projected autonomy in antenatal shared decision-making for periviable neonates: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

In this study, we assessed the communication strategies used by neonatologists in antenatal consultations which may influence decision-making when determining whether to provide resuscitation or comfort measures only in the care of periviable neonates.

METHODS

This study employed a qualitative study design using inductive thematic discourse analysis of 'naturally occurring data' in the form of antenatal conversations around resuscitation decisions at the grey zone of viability. The study occurred between February 2017 and June 2018 on a labor and delivery unit within a large Midwestern tertiary care hospital. Participants included 25 mothers who were admitted to the study hospital with anticipated delivery in the grey zone of viability and practicing neonatologists or neonatology fellows who partnered in antenatal consultation. We used a two-stage inductive analytic process to focus on how neonatologists' discourses constructed SDM in antenatal consultations. First, we used a thematic discourse analysis to interpret the recurring patterns of meaning within the transcribed antenatal consultations, and second, we theorized the subsequent effects of these discourses on shaping the context of SDM in antenatal encounters.

RESULTS

In this qualitative study, that included discourse analysis of real-time audio conversations in 25 antenatal consults, neonatologists used language that creates projected autonomy through (i) descriptions of fetal physiology (ii) development of the fetus's presence, and (iii) fetal role in decision-making.

CONCLUSION

Discourse analysis of real-time audio conversations in antenatal consultations was revelatory of how various discursive patterns brought the fetus into decision-making, thus changing who is considered the key actor in SDM.

Parents' understanding and experiences of blood component transfusion in the neonatal intensive care unit: A qualitative study

AIM

Blood component transfusion is a common intervention in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Parents consent on their babies' behalf. This study aimed to explore parents' understandings and experiences of consenting and the subsequent blood transfusion.

METHODS

A "low inference" qualitative descriptive semi-structured interview approach was utilised. Grounded theory was employed. Parents described their memories of babies' transfusions, their responses to the consent process and assessed the written information they were given.

RESULTS

A purposive sample of 17 parents whose babies required blood transfusion in the NICU participated. Parents talked about their initial fears of transfusion, later replaced by confidence in the process and results of transfusion and trust in the healthcare professional team. The main themes elicited by the interviews were parents' expectations and outcomes of transfusion, parents' prior and current opinions of transfusion, parents trust in healthcare professionals and how parents would like to receive information about transfusions in the NICU.

CONCLUSION

Parents in our study trust information from the healthcare professionals caring for their baby and would like more specific information about how blood transfusion will impact their baby, in a variety of means. Parents felt that blood transfusions were beneficial for their babies.

Do parents get what they want during bad news delivery in NICU?

OBJECTIVES

Little is known about parents' preferences in breaking bad news (BBN) in neonatology. The study was aimed at comparing parents' experiences with their first BBN discussion with a neonatologist/pediatric surgeon to their personal preferences.

METHODS

We conducted a quantitative survey amongst 54 parents of hospitalized preterm or term infants with severe diseases in two medium-size and one small German neonatal units. Parents answered self-rated questions on how they perceived BBN during their infant's hospital stay, asking for procedure and perception of BBN, their preferences and satisfaction with BBN.

RESULTS

Overall satisfaction with BBN was moderate to high (median (min-max): 8 (1-10) on a 1-10-Likert scale). A compassionate way of disclosure correlated highest with overall satisfaction with BBN. Thorough transmission of information in an easy to understand manner emerged as another crucial point and correlated significantly to satisfaction with BBN, too. The study revealed that it was highly important for parents, that physicians had good knowledge of the infant and the course of his/her disease, which was only met in a minority of cases. Moreover, there was a major discrepancy between expected and observed professional competence of the delivering physicians. Additionally, physicians did not set aside sufficient time for BBN and parents reported a lack of transporting assurance and hope.

CONCLUSIONS

In BBN physicians should draw greatest attention to ensure understanding in parents, with good knowledge of child and disease and sufficient time in a trustworthy manner. Physicians should focus on transporting competence, trust and gentleness.

Experiences of Indonesian nurses in improving preterm oral feeding readiness in special care units: A qualitative descriptive study

Background

Many preterm infants face feeding difficulties during the transition from enteral to oral feeding due to organ immaturity, resulting in aspiration, airway instability, and oral feeding intolerance. These challenges can increase morbidity and mortality among preterm infants. Nurses play a vital role in providing interventions to minimize negative impacts and enhance the safety of preterm oral feeding.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the experiences of Indonesian nurses in improving preterm oral feeding readiness.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted involving ten nurses working in intensive care units as participants through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted from January to March 2023. Thematic analysis was applied for data analysis.

Results

Four key themes developed in this study: 1) comprehensive and holistic nursing assessment, 2) challenging and complex nursing issues, 3) the need for nutritional management skills, and 4) the necessity of collaborative support.

Conclusion

Nurses play a pivotal role in enhancing oral feeding readiness among premature infants. Their responsibilities include assessing oral feeding readiness, addressing nursing challenges, and implementing multidisciplinary stimulation involving parents. This study provides a foundational framework for developing interventions to improve preterm oral feeding readiness.

Does Educational Status Influence Parents' Response to Bad News in the NICU?

Communication in neonatal intensive care units and the relationship between families and staff have been reported to influence parental mental well-being. Research has also shown an impact of parental educational level on their well-being. However, whether different educational levels result in different reactions to breaking bad news (BBN) by physicians remains unanswered so far. We therefore examined the impact of parental level of education on their mental state after a BBN conversation and their relation to physicians. A prospective quantitative survey was conducted amongst 54 parents whose preterm or term infants were hospitalized in three German neonatal units. Parental education was classified as low (lower secondary/less (1), n: 23) or high (higher secondary/more (2), n: 31). Parents answered questions about certain aspects of and their mental state after BBN and their trust in physicians. The two groups did not differ significantly in their mental condition after BBN, with both reporting high levels of exhaustion and worries, each (median (min;max): (1): 16 (6;20) vs. (2): 14 (5;20), (scaling: 5-20)). However, lower-educated parents reported a lower trust in physicians (median (min;max): (1): 2 (0;9) vs. (2): 1 (0;6), p < 0.05 (scaling: 0-10)) and felt less safe during BBN (median (min;max): (1): 15 (9;35) vs. (2): 13 (9;33), p < 0.05). Only among higher-educated parents was trust in physicians significantly correlated with the safety and orientation provided during BBN (r: 0.583, p < 0.05, r: 0.584, p < 0.01). Concurrently, only among less-educated parents was safety correlated with the hope conveyed during BBN (r: 0.763, p < 0.01). Therefore, in BBN discussions with less-educated parents, physicians should focus more on giving them hope to promote safety.

What matters to families about the healthcare of preterm or low birth weight infants: A qualitative evidence synthesis

OBJECTIVE

We examined what matters to families about the healthcare provided to preterm or LBW infants in hospital and the community, to ensure that care meets the needs of infants and parents.

METHODS

We searched databases to identify eligible studies examining the views and expectations of families. Study quality was assessed using the CASP checklist for qualitative studies. The GRADE-CERQual approach was used to assess confidence in review findings. Studies were sampled and data analysed using thematic synthesis.

RESULTS

222 studies (227 papers) were eligible for inclusion. 54 studies (57 papers) were sampled based on data richness, methodological quality, and representation across settings. Eight analytical themes were identified. Confidence in results was moderate to high. What mattered was a positive outcome for the child; active involvement in care; being supported to cope at home after discharge; emotional support; the healthcare environment; information needs met; logistical support available; and positive relationships with staff.

CONCLUSION

Although parents and family members reported a variety of experiences in the care of their infant, we found high consistency in what matters to families.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

This review identifies approaches to improve experiences of parents which are consistent with the Family Centred Care model of healthcare.

Diversity of Parent Emotions and Physician Responses During End-of-Life Conversations

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To provide support to parents of critically ill children, it is important that physicians adequately respond to parents' emotions. In this study, we investigated emotions expressed by parents, physicians' responses to these expressions, and parents' emotions after the physicians' responses in conversations in which crucial decisions regarding the child's life-sustaining treatment had to be made.

METHODS

Forty-nine audio-recorded conversations between parents of 12 critically ill children and physicians working in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units of 3 Dutch university medical centers were coded and analyzed by using a qualitative inductive approach.

RESULTS

Forty-six physicians and 22 parents of 12 children participated. In all 49 conversations, parents expressed a broad range of emotions, often intertwining, including anxiety, anger, devotion, grief, relief, hope, and guilt. Both implicit and explicit expressions of anxiety were prevalent. Physicians predominantly responded to parental emotions with cognition-oriented approaches, thereby limiting opportunities for parents. This appeared to intensify parents' expressions of anger and protectiveness, although their anxiety remained under the surface. In response to more tangible emotional expressions, for instance, grief when the child's death was imminent, physicians provided parents helpful support in both affect- and cognition-oriented ways.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings illustrate the diversity of emotions expressed by parents during end-of-life conversations. Moreover, they offer insight into the more and less helpful ways in which physicians may respond to these emotions. More training is needed to help physicians in recognizing parents' emotions, particularly implicit expressions of anxiety, and to choose helpful combinations of responses.

Using expert opinion rounds to develop valid and realistic manipulations for experimental video-vignette research: Results from a study on clinicians' (un)reasonable argumentative support for treatment decisions in neonatal care

OBJECTIVE

To develop valid and realistic manipulations for video-vignette research using expert opinion rounds, in preparation of an experimental study on clinicians' (un)reasonable argumentative support for treatment decisions in neonatal care.

METHODS

In three rounds, N = 37 participants (parents/clinicians/researchers) provided feedback on four video-vignette scripts and completed listing, ranking, and rating exercises to determine which (un)reasonable arguments clinicians may provide to support treatment decisions.

RESULTS

Round 1: participants deemed the scripts realistic. They judged that, on average, clinicians should provide two arguments for a treatment decision. They listed 13-20 reasonable arguments, depending on the script. Round 2: participants ranked the two most salient, reasonable arguments per script. Round 3: participants rated the most plausible, unreasonable arguments from a predefined list. These results guided the design of 12 experimental conditions.

CONCLUSION

Expert opinion rounds are an effective method to develop video-vignettes that are theoretically sound and ecologically realistic and offer a powerful means to include stakeholders in experimental research design. Our study yielded some preliminary insights into what are considered prevalent (un)reasonable arguments for clinicians' treatment plans.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

We provide hands-on guidelines on involving stakeholders in the design of video-vignette experiments and the development of video-based health communication interventions - both for research and practice.

Physicians' Online Writing Language Style and Patient Satisfaction: The Mediator of Depth of Physician-Patient Interactions

Online health counseling (OHC) is increasingly important in modern healthcare. This development has attracted considerable attention from researchers. However, the reality of the lack of physician-patient communication and dissatisfaction with online health services remains prevalent, and more research is needed to raise awareness about important issues related to OHC services, especially in terms of patient satisfaction and depth of interaction (i.e., the product of the number of interactions and the relevance of the content). This study constructs an empirical model to explore the relationship between physicians' online writing language style (inclusive language and emojis), depth of physician-patient interactions, and patient satisfaction. The study obtained 5064 online health counseling records from 337 pediatricians and analyzed them using text mining and empirical methods. The results showed that physicians' inclusive language (β = 0.3198, p < 0.05) and emojis (β = 0.6059, p < 0.01) had a positive impact on patient satisfaction. In addition, the depth of the physician-patient interaction partially mediated this effect. This study promotes a better understanding of the mechanisms of physician-patient interactions in online settings and has important implications for how online physicians and platforms can better provide online healthcare services.

In-hospital education of parents of newborns may benefit from competency-based education: A qualitative focus group and interview study among health professionals

AIMS/OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to appraise health professionals' self-reported practices in educating parents of hospitalised newborns from the perspective of competency-based education and to identify areas for improvement of parental learning.

BACKGROUND

Patient education is essential to achieve autonomy in parents of hospitalised newborns. The literature provides descriptions of the use of various components of competency-based education in patient education. This suggests that competency-based education is a valuable concept for patient education.

DESIGN

A case-based qualitative study.

METHODS

Three focus group discussions were conducted and 28 semi-structured interviews with 45 health professionals who practice in a hospital setting that is designed to empower parents. The data were analysed with a framework analysis approach, using a framework of competency-based education themes for a combined inductive and deductive content data analysis. The recommendations of the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist were followed.

FINDINGS

Two themes of competency-based education emerged as evidently operationalised: (1) 'Learning climate' and (2) 'Role modeling'. Five themes emerged as incompletely operationalised: (1) 'Parent curriculum based on inter-professional consensus'; (2) 'Transparency about the competencies needed'; (3) 'Access to teaching'; (4) 'Assessing and reporting results'; and (5) 'Proficiency statements based on autonomy expectations'. Two themes did not emerge: (1) 'Empowering parents to be active learners' and (2) 'Evaluation and improvement of the education program'.

CONCLUSIONS

Parent education is at risk of being merely on a master-apprentice model and may be more effective if it is designed on competency-based education principles. Identified areas for improvement are empowering parents to be 'active learners' and by involving them in the evaluation and improvement of the educational program. Parent education in neonatal health care may benefit from an appraisal based on competency-based education themes.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Appraising parent education based on competency-based education principles is feasible for improving the learning process towards parent autonomy.

Ethical Consequences of Technological Mediation on Parental Decision-Making Experiences in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a morally charged space in which parents may be confronted with difficult decisions about the treatment of their newborns, decisions often complicated and created by the increasing use of technologies. This paper adopts a postphenomenological approach to explore the ethical consequences of technological mediation on parental treatment decision-making in the NICU. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of children who received invasive technological support in the NICU to better understand how they made treatment decisions or decisions about specific interventions during their child's hospitalization. The findings suggest that technological mediation-or the various ways in which humans can interact with their world via technologies-contributes to experiences of ambiguity, ambivalence, and alienation in parental decision-making. The ambiguity of invasive NICU technologies can create uncertainty in a decision, which can then lead to internal ambivalence about which decision to make. Ultimately, this ambiguity and ambivalence may lead to alienation from one's child, as parents are disconnected physically and emotionally from the decision and thus their child. Articulating the effects of technological mediation on parental decision-making is a key step in addressing decisional conflict in neonatal intensive care settings and better supporting parents in their decision-making roles.

Investigation of Healthcare Professionals' Knowledge of Evidence-Based Clinical Practices for Preterm Neonatal Skin Care-A Pilot Study

Neonatal skin care practices are considered crucial for a neonate's survival and are closely related to healthcare professionals' (HPs) knowledge and skills in delivering scientifically valid neonatal care interventions. In this descriptive cross-sectional pilot study, conducted in 2022, we aimed to assess HPs' basic theoretical knowledge of neonatal vernix caseosa, skin microbiota, and bathing as well as knowledge regarding evidence-based clinical practices (referred to as "clinical knowledge") for preterm neonatal skin care. Eligible participants were neonatologists, pediatricians, obstetricians, midwives and nurses working in the Greek setting. The research instrument was an online questionnaire designed by the research team. Finally, 123 HPs took part in the study. The theoretical, clinical and total knowledge scores were all significantly associated with age, healthcare profession and the sources used for education. Participants' theoretical and clinical knowledge scores were compared and found not to differ significantly (p = 0.566). A significant and positive correlation was found between theoretical and clinical knowledge scores. Thus, it is concluded that HPs should be updated with the latest evidence-based knowledge and clinical guidelines in order to provide neonatal skin care with high-quality standards.

How doctors manage conflicts with families of critically ill patients during conversations about end-of-life decisions in neonatal, pediatric, and adult intensive care

PURPOSE

Intensive care is a stressful environment in which team-family conflicts commonly occur. If managed poorly, conflicts can have negative effects on all parties involved. Previous studies mainly investigated these conflicts and their management in a retrospective way. This study aimed to prospectively explore team-family conflicts, including its main topics, complicating factors, doctors' conflict management strategies and the effect of these strategies.

METHODS

Conversations between doctors in the neonatal, pediatric, and adult intensive care unit of a large university-based hospital and families of critically ill patients were audio-recorded from the moment doubts arose whether treatment was still in patients' best interest. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using a qualitative deductive approach.

RESULTS

Team-family conflicts occurred in 29 out of 101 conversations (29%) concerning 20 out of 36 patients (56%). Conflicts mostly concerned more than one topic. We identified four complicating context- and/or family-related factors: diagnostic and prognostic uncertainty, families' strong negative emotions, limited health literacy, and burden of responsibility. Doctors used four overarching strategies to manage conflicts, namely content-oriented, process-oriented, moral and empathic strategies. Doctors mostly used content-oriented strategies, independent of the intensive care setting. They were able to effectively address conflicts in most conversations. Yet, if they did not acknowledge families' cues indicating the existence of one or more complicating factors, conflicts were likely to linger on during the conversation.

CONCLUSION

This study underlines the importance of doctors tailoring their communication strategies to the concrete conflict topic(s) and to the context- and family-related factors which complicate a specific conflict.

Words matter: exploring communication between parents and neonatologists

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate how neonatologists and NICU parents perceive communication in the NICU.

STUDY DESIGN

A mixed-methods approach using an online survey and three focus groups with NICU parents and neonatologists, utilizing videos of simulated conversations between a neonatologist and mother.

RESULTS

A total of 72 participants responded to the online survey. Parents ranked the invasiveness of common NICU clinical procedures differently than the neonatologist standard but assessed the quality of the simulated conversation similarly. A total of 13 parents and 6 physicians participated in the focus groups. Major themes from both neonatologist and parent focus groups were the impact of making a connection with the parents, the importance of making decisions yet not making assumptions based on the divergent use of language by neonatologists and parents, and providing hope.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents and neonatologists differ in their perception of key aspects of NICU language use and communication but also agree on many aspects.

The Needs of NICU Fathers in Their Own Words: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

BACKGROUND

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses need a better understanding of fathers' needs and perceptions in order to provide more family holistic care. Previous research aimed at exploring fathers' experiences in the NICU resulted in identifying some needs; however, these studies mostly occurred outside the United States where practices may differ. Therefore, research is needed to explore NICU fathers' needs within the United States.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore the needs of fathers who previously had a premature infant in the NICU.

METHODS

This qualitative descriptive study used semistructured interviews collected to obtain in-depth knowl-edge of fathers' needs in the NICU. Twenty-eight fathers were recruited through 3 parent support organizations: Hand to Hold, NICU Parent Support Network, and March of Dimes.

RESULTS

Results revealed 3 themes: need for support, clarity and to be recognized.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Fathers have specific needs in the NICU that need to be addressed and that may differ from mothers. Awareness of addressing fathers' needs promotes more holistic care to fathers, supports coping within the NICU environment and the multifaceted impact of the experience, and helps them engage in the care of their infant.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Further research is needed to explore the needs of fathers from diverse backgrounds and those who perceive to be or are less involved in their infant's care as well as their experiences and needs related to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Comparative research is also needed to identify differences between mothers' and fathers' needs in order to determine interventions that promoting more holistic, family-centered care.

Enhancing Parents' Well-Being after Preterm Birth-A Qualitative Evaluation of the "Transition to Home" Model of Care

There are few programs available aimed at preventing short- and long-term negative consequences after preterm birth and covering the entire care continuum. The “Transition to Home (TtH)” model is such a program, offering structured, individual support for families with preterm infants before and after hospital discharge. This study gathers and examines the parents’ views of receiving support from an interprofessional team under the TtH model of care during hospitalization and after discharge. Using a qualitative explorative design, 39 semi-structured interviews with parents were analyzed thematically. From this analysis, three main themes were identified: (1) TtH and the relevance of continuity of care; (2) Enhancement of parents’ autonomy and self-confidence; (3) Perception of interprofessional collaboration. Within these themes, the most relevant aspects identified were continuity of care and the appointment of a designated health care professional to anchor the entire care continuum. Emotional support complemented by non-medical approaches, along with strength-based and family resource-oriented communication, also emerged as key aspects. Continuous, family-centered care and well-organized interprofessional collaboration promote the well-being of the family after a premature birth. If the aspects identified in this study are applied, the transition from hospital to home will be smoothened for the benefit of affected families.

Association of a Family Integrated Care Model With Paternal Mental Health Outcomes During Neonatal Hospitalization

IMPORTANCE

During newborn hospitalization in the neonatal unit, fathers often feel anxious and excluded from their child's caregiving and decision-making. Few studies and interventions have focused on fathers' mental health and their participation in neonatal care.

OBJECTIVE

To study the association of a family integrated care (FICare) model (in single family rooms with complete couplet-care for the mother-newborn dyad) vs standard neonatal care (SNC) in open bay units with separate maternity care with mental health outcomes in fathers at hospital discharge of their preterm newborn and to study whether parent participation was a mediator of the association of the FICare model on outcomes.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This prospective, multicenter cohort study was conducted from May 2017 to January 2020 as part of the fAMily Integrated Care in the Neonatal Ward Study, at level-2 neonatal units in the Netherlands (1 using the FICare model and 2 control sites using SNC). Participants included fathers of preterm newborns admitted to participating units. Data analysis was performed from January to April 2021.

EXPOSURE

FICare model in single family rooms with complete couplet-care for the mother-newborn dyad during maternity and/or neonatal care.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Paternal mental health was measured using the Parental Stress Scale: NICU, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Post-partum Bonding Questionnaire, Perceived (Maternal) Parenting Self-efficacy Scale, and satisfaction with care (EMpowerment of PArents in THe Intensive Care-Neonatology). Parent participation (CO-PARTNER tool) was assessed as a potential mediator of the association of the FICare model with outcomes with mediation analyses (prespecified).

RESULTS

Of 309 families included in the fAMily Integrated Care in the Neonatal Ward Study, 263 fathers (85%) agreed to participate; 126 fathers were enrolled in FICare and 137 were enrolled in SNC. In FICare, 89 fathers (71%; mean [SD] age, 35.1 [4.8] years) responded to questionnaires and were analyzed. In SNC, 93 fathers (68%; mean [SD] age, 36.4 [5.5] years) responded to questionnaires and were analyzed. Fathers in FICare experienced less stress (adjusted β, -10.02; 95% CI, -15.91 to -4.13; P = .001) and had higher participation scores (adjusted odds ratio, 3.424; 95% CI, 0.860 to 5.988; P = .009) compared with those in SNC. Participation mediated the beneficial association of the FICare model with fathers' depressive symptoms (indirect effect, -0.051; 95% CI, -0.133 to -0.003) and bonding with their newborns (indirect effect, -0.082; 95% CI, -0.177 to -0.015).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

These findings suggest that the FICare model is associated with decreased paternal stress at discharge and enables fathers to be present and participate more than SNC, thus improving paternal mental health. Supporting fathers to actively participate in all aspects of newborn care should be encouraged regardless of architectural design of the neonatal unit.

NEO-SPEAK: A conceptual framework that underpins breaking bad news in neonatology

OBJECTIVE

Breaking bad news in neonatology is a frequent and difficult challenge. Although there are guidelines for communicating with parents in pediatrics and neonatology, the specific framework for breaking bad news in neonatology has not been studied in more detail. Therefore, we aimed to identify determinants that are important for successful managing breaking bad news in neonatology from professionals' perspective and to develop a conceptual framework that underpins this challenging task.

METHODS

We conducted seventeen semi-structured interviews with senior neonatologists of six perinatal centers of the highest level of care in Germany. The transcripts were analyzed according to Mayring's method of qualitative content analysis using inductive and deductive coding.

RESULTS

Eight determinants of breaking bad news in neonatology could be identified from the interviews. From these, we developed the conceptual framework NEO-SPEAK. The first three determinants, Neonatal prognostic uncertainty, Encounter in (triangular-)partnerships, Organization and teamwork (NEO) are directly related to the specific care situation in neonatology, whereas the others, Situational stress, Processuality, Emotional burden, Attention to individuality, Knowledge and experience, play a role for difficult conversations in general, but are subject to special modifications in neonatology (SPEAK). In addition, the results show that the context in neonatology as well as reciprocal effects on the team and the individual level of the physicians are important influencing factors in breaking bad news.

CONCLUSION

On the one hand, the constitutional framework NEO-SPEAK shows which special aspects play a role in neonatology for the delivery of bad news, and on the other hand, it can help to identify and consider these aspects in clinical routine and training. Considering or reinforcing each NEO-SPEAK element when planning or delivering bad news may guide healthcare professionals through communication with parents of critically ill or premature newborns and support the resilience of the caring team.

Parents' pandemic NICU experience in the United States: a qualitative study

Background

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents of infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) frequently reported high levels of stress, uncertainty, and decreased parenting confidence. Early research has demonstrated that parents have had less access to their infants in the hospital due to restrictions on parental presence secondary to the pandemic. It is unknown how parents have perceived their experiences in the NICU since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of parents who had an infant in the NICU in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to inform healthcare providers and policy makers for future development of policies and care planning.

Methods

The study design was a qualitative description of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parents’ experiences of having an infant in the NICU. Free-text responses to open-ended questions were collected as part of a multi-method study of parents’ experiences of the NICU during the first six months of the pandemic. Participants from the United States were recruited using social media platforms between the months of May and July of 2020. Data were analyzed using a reflexive thematic approach.

Findings

Free-text responses came from 169 parents from 38 different states in the United States. Three broad themes emerged from the analysis: (1) parents’ NICU experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic were emotionally isolating and overwhelming, (2) policy changes restricting parental presence created disruptions to the family unit and limited family-centered care, and (3) interactions with NICU providers intensified or alleviated emotional distress felt by parents. A unifying theme of experiences of emotional distress attributed to COVID-19 circumstances ran through all three themes.

Conclusions

Parents of infants in the NICU during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced emotional struggles, feelings of isolation, lack of family-centered care, and deep disappointment with system-level decisions. Moving forward, parents need to be considered essential partners in the development of policies concerning care of and access to their infants.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-021-03028-w.

The culture of research communication in neonatal intensive care units: key stakeholder perspectives

OBJECTIVE

To assess the perspectives of neonatologists, neonatal nurses, and parents on research-related education and communication practices in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

STUDY DESIGN

Questionnaire circulated through interest groups and administered using the internet.

RESULTS

323 respondents responded to the survey. 52 were neonatologists, 188 were neonatal nurses, and 83 were parents of NICU graduates. Analysis was descriptive. Differences were noted between stakeholder groups with respect to whether current medications meet the needs of sick neonates, research as central to the mission of the NICU, availability of appropriate education/training for all members of the research team, and adequacy of information provided to parents before, during, and after a research study is completed.

CONCLUSION

Engagement of nurses and parents at all stages of NICU research is currently suboptimal; relevant good practices, including education, should be shared among neonatal units.

Support needs of parents in neonatal intensive care unit: An integrative review

BACKGROUND

Having an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is associated with intense emotional stress for both mothers and fathers. However, with the right support from staff, this stress can be reduced significantly. Although evidence on needs of parents in the neonatal unit exists, there is lack of a systematic integrative review on the support needs of parents in the neonatal unit. Current review evidence is needed to support busy neonatal unit clinicians in their practice.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this integrative review is to explore the current available evidence to describe and understand the support needs of parents of infants in the NICU.

METHODS

The integrative review process of Whittemore and Knafl (2005) was used to guide this study. Six databases-MEDLINE, CINHAL, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and PsycINFO-were searched for eligible studies using relevant keywords. Primary studies published in English language from 2010 to 2021 were reviewed following a pre-determined inclusion criteria. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were critically appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The review report is guided by the PRISMA 2020 checklist for systematic reviews.

RESULTS

Overall, 24 primary qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods studies were included in the review. Analysis of included studies resulted in six themes that demonstrate the support needs of parents in the NICU; 1. Information needs; 2. Emotionally intelligent staff; 3. Hands-on support; 4. Targeted support; 5. Emotional needs; and 6. Practical needs.

CONCLUSION

This review has presented the current evidence on the needs of parents from their own perspective. Healthcare workers' understanding and supporting these needs in the NICU is likely to increase parental satisfaction and improve health outcomes for parents, infants and their family.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Parents of infants in the NICU require staff support to enhance their experiences, well-being, caring and parenting confidence during admission and post-discharge. As parents are in constant need for informational, emotional and practical support, continuing professional development for NICU staff should place emphasis on effective communication strategies, enhancing emotional intelligence and empathy among staff. NICU staff should build positive ongoing relationships with parents and provide targetted support for mothers and fathers.

Effects of parent-provider communication during infant hospitalization in the NICU on parents: A systematic review with meta-synthesis and narrative synthesis

OBJECTIVE

To synthesize and analyse the literature on the effects of parent-provider communication during infant hospitalization in the neonatal (intensive) care unit (NICU) on parent-related outcomes.

METHODS

Systematic review with meta-synthesis and narrative synthesis. Databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus) were searched in October/November 2019. Studies reporting, observing, or measuring parent-related effects of parent-provider communication in the NICU were included. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs. Qualitative studies were meta-synthesized using deductive and inductive thematic analysis. Quantitative studies were analysed using narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

5586 records were identified; 77 were included, reporting on N = 6960 parents, N = 693 providers, and N = 300 NICUs. Analyses revealed five main (positive and negative) effects of parent-provider interaction on parents' (1) coping, (2) knowledge, (3) participation, (4) parenting, and (5) satisfaction. Communication interventions appeared impactful, particularly in reducing parental stress and anxiety. Findings confirm and refine the NICU Communication Framework.

CONCLUSIONS

Parent-provider communication is a crucial determinant for parental well-being and satisfaction with care, during and following infant hospitalization in the NICU. R. Practice Implications: Providers should particularly consider the impact on parents of their day-to-day interaction - the most occurring form of communication of all.