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Racial differences in parental satisfaction with neonatal intensive care unit nursing care

Journal of Perinatology volume 36, pages 1001–1007 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

Nurses provide parental support and education in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), but it is unknown if satisfaction and expectations about nursing care differ between racial groups.

Study Design:

A prospective cohort was constructed of families with a premature infant presenting to primary care between 1 January 2010 and 1 January 2013 (N=249, 52% white, 42% black). Responses to questions about satisfaction with the NICU were analyzed in ATLAS.ti using the standard qualitative methodology.

Results:

One hundred and twenty (48%) parents commented on nursing. Fifty-seven percent of the comments were positive, with black parents more negative (58%) compared with white parents (33%). Black parents were most dissatisfied with how nurses supported them, wanting compassionate and respectful communication. White parents were most dissatisfied with inconsistent nursing care and lack of education about their child.

Conclusions:

Racial differences were found in satisfaction and expectations with neonatal nursing care. Accounting for these differences will improve parental engagement during the NICU stay.

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Acknowledgements

All phases of this study were supported by National Institutes of Health Grant R01HD057168: Parental Trust and Racial Disparities in the Care of the Discharged Premature Infant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Center for Perinatal and Pediatric Health Disparities Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    A E Martin, J A D'Agostino, M Passarella & S A Lorch

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Center for Outcomes Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    A E Martin, J A D'Agostino, M Passarella & S A Lorch

  3. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    J A D'Agostino & S A Lorch

  4. The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    S A Lorch

  5. Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    S A Lorch

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  1. A E Martin
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Correspondence to S A Lorch.

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Martin, A., D'Agostino, J., Passarella, M. et al. Racial differences in parental satisfaction with neonatal intensive care unit nursing care. J Perinatol 36, 1001–1007 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2016.142

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