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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Three-Stage Care Experiences and Needs of Parents With Children in NICU: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis
Fang Wang1, XiaoMei Yang1, HongQing Guo1
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
Aim:
To explore the care experiences and needs of parents with children in the neonatal intensive care during hospitalisation, discharge transition, and home care.
Design:
A systematic review and meta-synthesis.
Methods:
Eight databases were searched in July 2024 for relevant publications. All qualitative and mixed-methods studies in English and Chinese that explored the three-stage care experiences and needs of parents with children in the neonatal intensive care unit were included. A qualitative meta-synthesis was performed. Two independent reviewers selected the studies and assessed quality.
Results:
A total of 16 articles were included. Three themes were extracted and integrated: care experience was affected by multiple factors, care needs revealed dynamic and longitudinal changes, and measures were actively taken to obtain long-term growth. 15 sub-themes were further identified.
Conclusions:
Parents of children in neonatal intensive care encounter various degrees of experience and requirements during hospitalisation, discharge transition, and home care. Parents face high emotional demands during the hospitalisation period; discharge transition requires high skill from parents, while home care is a period of mixed emotional and skill demands.
Patient Or Public Contribution:
No patient or public contribution.
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