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Factors Influencing Implementation of Family-Centered Care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Sabine M Oude Maatman1, Kajsa Bohlin2, Siri Lilliesköld2
1Department Woman and Baby, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Insights
Family-Centered Care (FCC) in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) is crucial for reducing infant and parent stress. Healthcare professionals
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric healthcare
- Family psychology
Background:
- Preterm birth affects 10% of global births, often requiring Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission.
- The NICU environment presents stressors like unnatural light, noise, and disturbances, impacting infants and parents.
- Family-Centered Care (FCC) promotes a partnership between healthcare professionals and families, reducing parental stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore factors influencing the implementation of Family-Centered Care (FCC) in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).
- To identify barriers and facilitators to FCC adoption from the perspective of healthcare professionals.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, generic qualitative design was employed.
- Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals in NICUs.
- Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis in a multi-center European study.
Main Results:
- Four key aspects influencing FCC implementation were identified: staff behavioral change, family needs, environment, and communication.
- The mindset of healthcare professionals emerged as the most critical factor for successful FCC implementation.
- Specific findings related to staff attitudes, patient-centered needs, environmental adaptations, and communication strategies.
Conclusions:
- The mindset of healthcare professionals, particularly their perception of parents as primary caregivers, significantly impacts FCC practice.
- Adopting a parent-as-primary-caregiver mindset is essential for effective FCC implementation and parental involvement in infant care.
- Successful FCC integration hinges on professionals' attitudes and their willingness to foster a collaborative care environment.
Abstract:
Background: Approximately 10% of all births worldwide are preterm. Often these infants are admitted at a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The NICU environment with periods of unnatural light, noise and repeated disturbances is very stressful for infants admitted to the NICU. In addition separation of parents causes stress for both infant and parents. A way to support and include parents in the care for their infants is Family-Centered Care (FCC). FCC is an approach of planning, delivery and evaluation of healthcare, based on a partnership between healthcare professionals and families of patients. Parents of infants who were admitted to an FCC unit were less stressed compared to parents at a Standard Care unit. Aim: Although FCC is beneficial to families and patients, implementation can be challenging. Therefore it is important to know which factors can contribute or withhold the implementation of FCC. This study explored factors that influence implementation of FCC in NICU's according to healthcare professionals that work in a NICU with the concept FCC. Method: A descriptive generic qualitative design with semi-structured interviews and inductive thematic analyses was used. This international multi-center study was conducted in three hospitals in three European countries: Sweden, Norway, and The Netherlands. Results: Seven neonatal care nurses, one nurse assistant, five neonatologists, and three managers participated in this study. Four aspects were identified, when analyzing the data, namely: Behavioral change in staff, Family needs, Environment, and Communication. Most important is that almost all healthcare professionals described that the mind-set of the professional influences the implementation of FCC. Conclusion: The mind-set of healthcare professionals in seeing parents as primary caregiver influences the way FCC is practiced and how parents are involved in the care for their infant.
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