The knowledge and learning needs of health professionals in providing support for parents of premature babies at home: A mixed-methods study

Nurse-mother communication and support: Perceptions of mothers in neonatal units

Introduction

Having a hospitalized neonate is a stressful experience for parents, especially mothers. Thus, in recent years, a paradigm shift occurred in the neonatal units, focusing on the needs of parents and supporting them in addition to caring for neonates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nurse-mother communication and support in neonatal units in Bushehr, Iran.

Method

This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in neonatal units of 6 hospitals in Bushehr, Iran, in 2022. Using the census method, all eligible mothers who met the inclusion criteria were included in this study. Data collection tools included demographic information form, nurse-parent support tool and nurse-parent communication questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 24 using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation test.

Results

The total mean score of nurse-parent support tool was 3.72 ± 0.72 and the total mean score of nurse-parent communication questionnaire was 59/27 ± 12/82. Caregiving support had the highest mean score (4.07 ± 73 0.73) and emotional support had the lowest (3.42 ± 91 0.91). Also, a statistically significant difference was seen between the admitted unit variable and the mean score of nurse-mother communication and support. Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference between the mechanical ventilation status of the neonate and the mean score of nurse-mother support. A significant positive correlation was seen between the neonatal gestational age and the mean score of nurse-mother communication.

Conclusions

The total mean score of nurse-parent support and communication was moderate. Therefore, nursing support and communication need to be improved. Planning is needed to enhance the role of neonatal nurses and strengthen their support and communication skills in line with the family-centered care approach.

Support needs of parents with preterm infants at resource-limited neonatal units in Limpopo province: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

 Preterm birth is often unexpected and life-threatening for the baby and/or the mother. When admitted to the hospital, midwives need to provide informational, instrumental, psycho-cultural and emotional support to enhance post-discharge care.

OBJECTIVES

 This study aimed to explore and describe the support provided to parents of preterm infants in preparing for post-discharge care. The study was conducted in three district hospitals in the Mopani district, South Africa.

METHOD

 A qualitative approach wherein explorative, descriptive and contextual designs were used. A non-probability, convenience sampling was used to select 23 midwives who were working in the maternity unit for at least 2 years. Data were collected through in-depth individual semi-structured interviews until data saturation was reached. The data were analysed through Tesch's open coding method. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, transferability and confirmability. Ethical principles adhered to were: informed consent, beneficence, right to self-determination, confidentiality and anonymity.

RESULTS

 The findings revealed that parents need informational, instrumental direct supervision, and psycho-cultural and emotional support during preparation for discharge.

CONCLUSION

 Parents were unsure of their ability to care for the preterm infants after discharge and manage their own needs. The provision of informational, instrumental, psycho-cultural and emotional support needs would play a vital role in their ability to cope with their parental roles and the relationship with their infant.Contribution: The support provided to parents could build parental confidence and act as an integral part of neonatal follow-up programmes.

CONTINUIDADE DO CUIDADO AO RECÉM-NASCIDO PRÉ-TERMO EGRESSO DA UNIDADE NEONATAL: VIVÊNCIAS DE FAMILIARES

RESUMO Objetivo: investigar a continuidade do cuidado de recém-nascidos pré-termos egressos da unidade neonatal na perspectiva dos familiares. Método: estudo exploratório qualitativo, fundamentado na perspectiva conceitual da continuidade do cuidado, desenvolvido com 16 familiares de recém-nascidos pré-termo egressos de unidade neonatal de um hospital universitário da capital do estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. A coleta dos dados ocorreu de agosto a novembro de 2019, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas nas residências dos participantes e, posteriormente, submetidas à técnica de análise de conteúdo. Resultados: os 16 familiares relataram suas perspectivas sobre a continuidade do cuidado de recém-nascidos pré-termos egressos da unidade neonatal, revelando fragilidade informacional no âmbito da atenção básica e outros serviços de saúde; relação satisfatória por meio do vínculo com o serviço em que ocorreu o nascimento da criança, que se materializa pela adesão ao ambulatório de seguimento; e dificuldade de acesso a atendimentos, ausência de articulação e comunicação entre os diferentes níveis de atenção, comprometendo a efetivação da referência e contrarreferência entre os serviços. Conclusão: a continuidade do cuidado após a alta é agenciada pela própria família, pelo seu protagonismo e autonomia ao cuidarem da criança egressa da unidade neonatal. Independentemente de os serviços de saúde atuarem de forma articulada, as famílias buscam espaços de saúde, informações e fontes de apoio para subsidiar o cuidado.

CONTINUITY OF CARE FOR PRETERM NEWBORN DISCHARGE FROM THE NEONATAL UNIT: FAMILY EXPERIENCES

ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate the continuity of care of preterm newborns discharged from the neonatal unit from the perspective of family members. Method: qualitative exploratory study, based on the conceptual perspective of continuity of care, developed with 16 relatives of preterm newborns discharged from a neonatal unit of a university hospital in the state capital of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Data collection occurred from August to November 2019, through semi-structured interviews conducted in the participants' homes and subsequently submitted to the content analysis technique. Results: the 16 family members reported their perspectives on the continuity of care for preterm newborns who graduated from the neonatal unit, revealing informational fragility in the scope of primary care and other health services; a satisfactory relationship through the link with the service in which the child was born, which is materialized by the access to the follow-up outpatient clinic; and difficulty access to care, lack of articulation and communication between the different levels of care, compromising the implementation of the reference and counter-reference between the services. Conclusion: the continuity of care after discharge is brokered by the family itself, due to its protagonism and autonomy when caring for the child in the neonatal unit. Regardless of whether health services act in an articulated way, families seek health spaces, information and sources of support to support care.

Parent priorities for research and communication concerning childhood outcomes following preterm birth

Background: Children born preterm (before 37 weeks of gestation) are at risk for several adverse childhood outcomes. Parent priorities for research into these outcomes, and preferences for receiving information about these risks, have not previously been established. Here we report the results of an online survey designed to understand parent priorities for research and their preferences for receiving information about childhood outcomes. Methods: An online survey was circulated through social media and was completed by 148 parents of preterm children between the ages of 0 and 12 years from around the United Kingdom (UK). Survey questions were in the form of rating scale, multiple choice, ranking or open-ended free text questions. Descriptive analysis was applied to the quantitative data. Illustrative quotes were extracted from the qualitative free text data and a subset of these questions were analysed using framework analysis. Results: Parent priorities for research centre around identification of factors which can protect against or improve adverse cognitive or developmental outcomes. The majority of parents would prefer for communication to begin within the first year of the child's life. Parents reported a knowledge gap among health visitors, early years educators and schools. Conclusions: In order to align with parent preferences, research should prioritise identification of protective factors and the development of effective interventions to improve outcomes. Training for health visitors and educational professionals could improve the experiences of families and children.

Parent priorities for research and communication concerning childhood outcomes following preterm birth

Background: Children born preterm (before 37 weeks of gestation) are at risk for several adverse childhood outcomes. Parent priorities for research into these outcomes, and preferences for receiving information about these risks, have not previously been established. Here we report the results of an online survey designed to understand parent priorities for research and their preferences for receiving information about childhood outcomes. Methods: An online survey was circulated through social media and was completed by 148 parents of preterm children between the ages of 0 and 12 years from around the United Kingdom (UK). Survey questions were in the form of rating scale, multiple choice, ranking or open-ended free text questions. Descriptive analysis was applied to the quantitative data. Illustrative quotes were extracted from the qualitative free text data and a subset of these questions were analysed using framework analysis. Results: Parent priorities for research centre around identification of factors which can protect against or improve adverse cognitive or developmental outcomes. The majority of parents would prefer for communication to begin within the first year of the child's life. Parents reported a knowledge gap among health visitors, early years educators and schools. Conclusions: In order to align with parent preferences, research should prioritise identification of protective factors and the development of effective interventions to improve outcomes. Training for health visitors and educational professionals could improve the experiences of families and children.

Exploring modifiable risk-factors for premature birth in the context of COVID-19 mitigation measures: A discussion paper

During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents with sick or premature babies have faced challenges following admission to a neonatal unit due to the imposed lock-down restrictions on social contact, hospital visitation and the wearing of personal protective equipment. The negative short-term impact on neonatal care in relation to the prevention of close proximity, contact and bonding between parents and babies is potentially significant. However, an interesting finding has been reported of a reduction in premature birth admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit during the pandemic, raising important questions. Why was this? Was it related to the effect of the modifiable risk-factors for premature birth? This discussion paper focuses on an exploration of these factors in the light of the potential impact of COVID-19 restrictions on neonatal care. After contextualising both the effect of premature birth and the pandemic on neonatal and parental short-term outcomes, the discussion turns to the modifiable risk-factors for premature birth and makes recommendations relevant to the education, advice and care given to expectant mothers.

Exploring the knowledge of community-based nurses in supporting parents of preterm babies at home: A survey-based study

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the confidence levels, knowledge base and learning needs of community‐based nurses relating to the care of preterm babies and parents, to explore what education is required and in what format.

Design

An online survey methodology was used.

Methods

A 32‐item questionnaire was distributed via social media platforms to community‐based nurses in Australia.

Results

Descriptive analysis was undertaken relating to knowledge base, confidence levels, previous training, learning and resource needs and barriers to education. It was deemed vital to expand confidence and knowledge in this area. Gaps in learning resources were identified and a need for more training in topics such as developmental outcomes, feeding, expected milestones, weight gain, growth trajectories and supporting parents. Online resources were the preferred format to teach key knowledge to community‐based health professionals, tailored to the specific features of preterm babies and support needs of parents.