Measuring parents' experiences and satisfaction with care during very preterm birth: a questionnaire development...

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Maternal-fetal medicine
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Assessing parental satisfaction is crucial for improving neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experiences.
• Existing measures may not fully capture the nuances of care during very preterm birth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a comprehensive questionnaire for parents regarding their experiences and satisfaction with care during very preterm birth.

Main Methods:

• A 30-item questionnaire (P-BESS) was developed using qualitative interviews, literature review, and expert consultation.
• The questionnaire underwent reliability and validity testing with parents of very preterm infants in English tertiary neonatal units.
• Factor analysis identified key dimensions of care, and internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha.

Main Results:

• The Preterm Birth Experience and Satisfaction Scale (P-BESS) demonstrated strong reliability and validity.
• Factor analysis revealed three primary dimensions: Staff professionalism and empathy, Information and explanations, and Confidence in staff.
• A fourth factor, 'Partner Involvement,' was identified for mothers whose partners were present.

Conclusions:

• The P-BESS is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating parental satisfaction with care during very preterm birth.
• Findings highlight key areas of parental concern and satisfaction, informing quality improvement initiatives in neonatal care.