Experience-based co-design to refine a remote parent-mediated intervention program for preterm infants after NICU...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Pediatrics
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Preterm infants face significant developmental challenges post-NICU discharge.
• Families encounter barriers accessing essential rehabilitation services.
• Existing remote interventions lack tailoring and stakeholder input.

Purpose of the Study:

• To refine an existing remote parent-mediated intervention for preterm infants.
• To enhance developmental care accessibility and continuity after NICU discharge.
• To incorporate stakeholder priorities into intervention design using EBCD.

Main Methods:

• Employed a modified five-stage experience-based co-design (EBCD) framework.
• Conducted individual interviews with mothers and a focus group with healthcare professionals.
• Utilized inductive qualitative content analysis and a co-design workshop with 13 stakeholders.

Main Results:

• Identified themes: parental motivation vs. preparation demands, remote delivery's psychological pressure, and limitations of static materials.
• Stakeholders prioritized a hybrid model: synchronous video, in-person training, asynchronous resources, and Q&A.
• Expanded program scope to include feeding, sleep, interaction, and psychosocial outcomes.

Conclusions:

• EBCD successfully refined a remote intervention based on stakeholder needs.
• The co-designed program integrates hybrid delivery, feedback, and psychosocial support.
• The refined intervention is ready for feasibility testing in a future trial.