Interventions to enhance family centred care in the neonatal intensive care unit: A scoping review

To map the current literature on interventions designed to enhance Family Centred Care (FCC) in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and identify gaps in the existing literature.

Following Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework, a comprehensive search was conducted on November 10th, 2023, and updated on the 20th May 2025. Four databases were searched: Medline via OVID, CINAHL via EBSCO-Host, OVID Embase and PROQUEST. Studies were included if they described interventions targeting FCC in NICUs. Two reviewers independently conducted the screening at both phases with conflicts resolved by a third reviewer.

The review identified 31 studies outlining 26 interventions, categorised into four categories: Family centred care bundles; Educational interventions; Communication interventions; and Environmental interventions. Study participants included mothers, fathers, families, and healthcare workers, often restricted to specific languages and cultures. Most outcome measures predominantly reflected the perspectives of mothers and nurses. Many interventions were associated with improvement in family engagement and satisfaction. However, evidence was limited on long-term neonatal and parental outcomes and sustainability of the FCC practices. While some interventions, such as Family Integrated Care (FiCare) and The Close Collaboration Program, have been extensively studied, others have been examined only to a limited extent.

This review investigated interventions to enhance FCC in the NICU. The findings highlighted a range of interventions designed to improve family experiences and neonatal outcomes. This review underscores the need for standardised implementation studies on FCC interventions in NICUs. While numerous interventions successfully increased parental involvement and positively influenced staff perspectives, their effectiveness often hinges on the implementation strategies employed, as well as the support from institutions and healthcare providers.

Understanding FCC interventions implemented worldwide will broaden the application of FCC within the NICU. Further investigation into these interventions across various NICUs is necessary, involving diverse family members and healthcare professionals in assessing outcomes.