An Integrated Review of Transitional Care for Families of Pre-Term Infants

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Public Health
• Family Studies

Background:

• Transitional care for premature infants is critical for family adjustment and infant outcomes.
• South Korean healthcare practices require specific considerations for preterm infant care.
• Existing literature lacks a synthesized framework for transitional care in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and categorize the essential components of transitional care for families with premature infants in South Korea.
• To provide a foundation for developing evidence-based transitional care programs and policies.
• To enhance the quality of care for premature infants and their families within the South Korean context.

Main Methods:

• An integrative review methodology was employed, following Whittemore and Knafle's guidelines.
• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across nine electronic databases.
• Fourteen relevant studies were selected and appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Main Results:

• Three primary domains of transitional care were identified: parenting empowerment, emotional support, and social support.
• Ten key attributes were detailed within these domains, including developmental promotion, parent-infant interaction, counseling, advocacy, and professional collaboration.
• Parenting empowerment encompassed aspects like nutrition, safety, and general parenting skills.

Conclusions:

• Transitional care for South Korean families with premature infants should focus on empowering parents, providing emotional support, and fostering social connections.
• Developing targeted programs and policies is essential to integrate these identified attributes into nursing practices.
• Further research and implementation are needed to optimize transitional care models in South Korea.