Background The birth of a premature infant and subsequent hospitalization are stressful events for parents. Therefore, accurate and easy-to-understand communication between parents and health care professionals is crucial during this period. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies have the potential to improve communication with parents at any time and place and possibly reduce their stress. Objective We aimed to conduct a 2-part explorative needs assessment in which the interaction between the pediatrician and parents was examined along with their digital communication technology needs and interest in an mHealth app with the aim of improving interpersonal communication and information exchange. Methods Overall, 19 consultations between parents of preterm infants and pediatricians were observed to determine which themes are discussed the most and the number of questions asked. Afterward, the parents and the pediatrician were interviewed to evaluate the process of communication and gauge their ideas about a neonatal communication mHealth app. Results The observations revealed the following most prevalent themes: breastfeeding, criteria for discharge, medication, and parents’ personal life. Interview data showed that the parents were satisfied with the communication with their pediatrician. Furthermore, both parents and pediatricians expected that a neonatal mHealth app could further improve the communication process and the hospital stay. Parents valued app features such as asking questions, growth graphs, a diary function, hospital-specific information, and medical rounds reports. Conclusions Both parents of hospitalized preterm infants and pediatricians expect that the hypothetical mHealth app has the potential to cater to the most prevalent themes and improve communication and information exchange. Recommendations for developing such an app and its possible features are also discussed. On the basis of these promising results, it is suggested to further develop and study the effects of the mHealth app together with all stakeholders.

BACKGROUND The birth of a premature infant and the following hospitalization are very stressful events for the parents. Accurate and understandable communication between parents and healthcare professionals is, therefore, crucial during this period. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies have the potential to improve the communication with parents at any time and place and could positively influence the parents’ stress levels. OBJECTIVE In this study, a two-part explorative needs assessment is conducted in which 1) the interaction between the pediatrician and parents is examined along with 2) their digital communication technology needs with the aim to improve the interpersonal communication and information exchange. METHODS Nineteen consultations between parents of preterm infants and pediatricians were observed to determine which themes are discussed most. Afterwards the parent-couples and the pediatrician were interviewed separately, to evaluate the process of communication and to gauge their interest in- and ideas about a neonatal communication mHealth app. RESULTS The observations revealed as most prevalent themes: breastfeeding, criteria for discharge, medication, and the parents’ personal life. Data from the interviews showed that parents were satisfied with the communication of their pediatrician. In addition, both parents and pediatricians felt that a neonatal mHealth app can provide substantial benefits to their communication process and the neonatal stay period. Parents mentioned valuing app features such as growth graphs, a diary function, hospital specific information, and medical rounds reports. CONCLUSIONS Both parents from hospitalized preterm infants and their physicians expect that a hypothetical app has the potential to cater for the most prevalent themes and will improve communication and information transfer. Recommendations for developing such an app and possible features are discussed. Based on the promising results, it is suggested to further develop and study the effects of a mHealth app together with all stakeholders.