Related Experiment Videos
Coping and caring in different ways: understanding and meaningful involvement
1Parent Partners Program, George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Pediatric Nursing
|May 25, 2002
Summary
Navigating the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is challenging for families. Nurses can support parents by using five frameworks to foster meaningful involvement in infant care, respecting individual coping styles.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nursing
- Family-centered care
Background:
- Infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) present unique challenges for families.
- Parental coping mechanisms vary significantly during this stressful period.
Observation:
- Nurses can facilitate parental involvement through structured assessment and planning.
- Five key frameworks guide this process: family-centered care, cultural context, loss and grief, personal style, and caregiver values.
Findings:
- Case studies of three families demonstrate diverse coping styles and the application of these frameworks.
- Nurses can utilize suggested questions to assess family strengths and backgrounds.
- Identifying areas for parental involvement empowers families in their infant's care.
Implications:
- These frameworks help nurses support families in finding meaningful ways to participate in their infant's NICU journey.
- Effective nursing interventions promote positive family adaptation and engagement during a critical time.