Health Communication in Neonatal Intensive Care

Background and Purpose: Health communication interventions to successfully promote satisfaction with care among parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are limited. This study investigated strategies for effective health communication in the NICU through focus groups with parents and nurses, and individual interviews with neonatologists. Methods: Eight parents, seventeen nurses, and three neonatologists from one NICU in Genesee County, Michigan participated. Results: Parents expressed a preference for daily, face-to-face communication with the physician. They recommended the use of visual aids to help with understanding infants conditions. One such aid would be a baby diary to serve as the infants daily progress report for the parent to review during the visit. A communication strategy used by nurses was providing parents with the most up-to-date information in an approachable, reassuring manner. Physicians suggested interactive communication practice sessions as strategies to increase effective communication between physicians and parents. Physician-to-nurse strategies consisted of building trustworthy relationships by holding scientific forums, discussing health care disagreements, and accepting differing opinions. Conclusion: Future research may assess the influence of strategies recommended in this study on parental satisfaction with care and adherence to treatment recommendations as well as on health care provider self-efficacy.