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The POPPY study: developing a model of family-centred care for neonatal units
Sophie Staniszewska1, Jo Brett, Maggie Redshaw
1Royal College of Nursing Research Institute, School of Health and Social Studies, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. sophie.staniszewska@warkwick.ac.uk
Insights
The POPPY model offers the first collaborative, parent-centered approach to family-centered care in neonatal units. This evidence-based model enhances support and communication for parents of preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Family-centered care
- Evidence-based practice
Background:
- Family-centered care is increasingly recognized internationally in neonatal practice.
- It emphasizes placing parents and families at the core of healthcare.
- The philosophy promotes individualized and flexible care approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop the first international family-centered care model through parental collaboration.
- To synthesize research evidence to generate the model's philosophy, principles, and indicators.
- To create a practical framework for implementing family-centered care in neonatal settings.
Main Methods:
- Developed the POPPY model through seven key collaborative steps with parents.
- Synthesized findings from a systematic review and qualitative study on effective interventions and parent experiences.
- Identified key stages of the parental journey, developed a philosophy, principles, and implementation indicators.
Main Results:
- Identified seven key stages of the parental journey through the neonatal unit experience.
- Established the POPPY model architecture based on these journey stages.
- Developed a philosophy, underpinning principles, and indicators for family-centered care implementation.
Conclusions:
- The POPPY model is the first robust, collaboratively developed, parent-centered model for neonatal care.
- It can be implemented to deliver high-quality, family-centered care to parents of preterm infants.
- Implementation can help neonatal units provide parent-focused services addressing needs for information, communication, and support.
Background:
The concept of family-centred care in neonatal practice has become increasingly recognised internationally. The underlying philosophy puts parents and the family at the centre of health care and promotes "individualised, flexible care."
Aims:
To develop the first international model of family-centred care based on strong parental collaboration in the synthesis of robust research evidence to generate the philosophy, principles, model, and indicators for implementation. METHODS AND SYNTHESIS: Seven key steps were followed to develop the POPPY model of care collaboratively with parents. Step 1 drew on the POPPY systematic review to identify effective interventions. Step 2 drew on the POPPY qualitative study to identify good parent experiences. Step 3 identified the philosophy and principles of the POPPY model of care. Step 4 identified the key stages of the POPPY model of care. Step 5 populated the POPPY model of care with data from steps 1 and 2. Step 6 developed the indicators of family-centred care; and Step 7 undertook some initial testing with parents and practitioners.
Results:
Seven key stages of the parents' journey through their neonatal unit experience were identified and formed the architecture of the POPPY model of care. These include: before admission to the unit, admission, early days, growing and developing, transfers between units and between levels of care, preparing for discharge, and transition to home and at home. A philosophy, a set of principles to underpin the model, and a set of indicators to guide implementation in neonatal units were developed.
Conclusion:
The POPPY model of family-centred care provides the first robust, collaboratively developed, parent-centred model, which can be implemented to deliver high quality care to parents of preterm infants.
Implications:
Implementing the POPPY model could help neonatal units to develop parent-focused services which better meet parents' needs for information, communication and support, key elements of family-centred care.
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