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The lived experience of fathers of preterm infants in the N eonatal I ntensive C are U nit: a systematic review of qualitative studies
Author(s) -
Provenzi Livio,
Santoro Elena
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1111/jocn.12828
Subject(s) - critical appraisal , coping (psychology) , qualitative research , psychology , systematic review , nursing , scopus , psychological intervention , medicine , medline , clinical psychology , sociology , alternative medicine , social science , pathology , political science , law
Aims and objectives To systematically review the experience of fathers of preterm infants hospitalised in the N eonatal I ntensive C are U nit. Background Family‐centred care is more and more acknowledged in N eonatal I ntensive C are U nits, advocating for active engagement of both parents in the care journey. Nonetheless, fathers' N eonatal I ntensive C are U nit experience has received limited research attention. Design Systematic review of qualitative studies. Methods Four electronic databases ( CINHAL , ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus) were explored and studies published between 2000–2014 were included. Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis ( PRISMA ) and Joanna Briggs Institute ( JBI ) Critical Appraisal Tool for Qualitative Studies guidelines were adopted. Key themes were extracted and synthesised. Results Five main themes resuming fathers' experience of preterm birth and N eonatal I ntensive C are U nit stay were identified from 14 studies. Themes were: emotional roller‐coaster, paternal needs, coping strategies, self‐representation and caregiving engagement. These dimensions were found to be dynamically shaped across three critical turning points: preterm birth, N eonatal I ntensive C are U nit stay and at home. Conclusions N eonatal I ntensive C are U nit fathers of preterm infants experience ambivalence, a set of different needs and coping strategies. They modify their self‐representations along the N eonatal I ntensive C are U nit journey and needs specific nursing support and intervention to sustain caregiving engagement and transition to parenthood. Relevance to clinical practice A systematic and deepened understanding of preterms' fathers lived experience in N eonatal I ntensive C are U nit would be helpful to inform nursing practice. Specific action priorities are suggested within the frame of family‐centred care.