Abstract
A group for parents of high-risk newborns on a NNICU was organized in June 77. Core-members establishing the group were the neonatology staff including nurse clinician, social worker and clergyman. Parents of infants previously discharged from the unit also participated. Goals were to provide information, to encourage parents to express their feelings and to facilitate communication. Evening meetings were scheduled bi-monthly on the unit. Parents were encouraged to attend while visiting their infants; three core-members were always present. 57 parents (of 34 infants) participated over the six-month period, up to 11 parents attending at a time. Discussions were unstructured; core-members listened and facilitated conversation only when necessary.
Parents shared feelings, recounted pregnancy and birth experiences, and felt less alone. Few questions arose about specific neonatal illnesses. Recurrent topics were lapses in communication and concern over new resident rotations. Mothers requested transfer from obstetrical units following the transport of their sick newborns.
This preliminary evaluation resulted in specific changes on the NNICU including a “crying room”, baby-sitting for sibs, parent booklet explaining terminology and reduction in parking fees for chronic patients. This program does not replace parent communication on an individual level. In the high-stress situation of neonatal care, it provides parents with added support, and the NNICU staff with valuable insights into parent needs.
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Shankaran, S., Del Bianco, L. & Poland, R. 70 NEONATAL ICU PARENT GROUP: A VALUABLE EXPERIENCE. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 375 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00075
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00075