Premium
Differences in parents', nurses' and physicians' views of NICU parent support
Author(s) -
Franck Linda S,
Axelin Anna
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.12227
Subject(s) - medicine , emotional support , nursing , perception , family medicine , consistency (knowledge bases) , social support , health professionals , intensive care , significant difference , health care , psychology , intensive care medicine , social psychology , geometry , mathematics , neuroscience , economics , economic growth
Abstract Aim To measure the perceptions of parent support by parents, nurses and physicians. Methods Perceptions were compared among parents (n = 227), nurses (n = 178) and physicians (n = 43) in four neonatal intensive care units ( NICU ) using two versions of the N urse P arent S upport T ool ( NPST and NPST pro). Results Overall, parents reported receiving support from nurses some or most of the time and their perceptions were correlated with aspects of their NICU experience. Nurses reported giving support to parents almost all of the time. The mean difference between parent and nurse ratings was smallest for instrumental support (0.26, 0.16–0.36; p < 0.001) and greatest for emotional support (0.82, 0.67–0.97; p < 0.001). Physicians overall reported that they gave support to parents most of the time, significantly less frequently than nurses (mean difference 0.58, 0.45–0.71; p < 0.001). They rated their support as most frequent on answering parents' questions satisfactorily and as least frequent on teaching parents how to give care to their baby. Conclusion NICU nurses and physicians should be encouraged to critically reflect on whether the type and consistency of support they provide to parents is in line with parents' perceptions and needs. Further research is needed on effective methods for health professionals to support parents of NICU infants.