Objectives:To determine what sources of information are most helpful for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents, who provides NICU parents with the information, and also what expectations parents have regarding obtaining information.Study design: A 19-item questionnaire was given to the parents of infants 32 weeks or younger prior to discharge from the NICU.Results: Out of the 101 parents who consented, almost all of the parents (96%) felt that 'the medical team gave them the information they needed about their baby' and that the 'neonatologist did a good job of communicating' with them (91%). However, the nurse was chosen as 'the person who spent the most time explaining the baby's condition, 'the best source of information,' and the person who told them 'about important changes in their baby's condition' (P<0.01). Conclusion:Although the neonatologist's role in parent education is satisfactory, the parents identified the nurses as the primary source of information. Journal of Perinatology (2006) IntroductionOne out of every eight babies is born prematurely in the United States. The birth of a premature infant is a stressful event. The major concerns of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents' during this stressful time are their informational needs, their grief response, their parent-child role development, stress and coping, and social support. [1][2][3][4] In most studies, parents communicated that their need for information was one of their most important concerns. Parents want 'clear and honest information,' 3,5 and have commented that they have had 'difficulty in obtaining accurate and up-to-date information'. 6 Obtaining information is important because it helps parents assume their parenting role, gives them some sense of involvement and control while decreasing their feelings of stress, and helps them cope with the fear and uncertainty of the situation.2,7 Without adequate communication with the medical team and adequate teaching, parents are at risk for maladjustment and preterm infants are at risk for abuse and neglect, failure to thrive and poor social adjustment. 2,7,8 Owing to the profound consequences of poor doctor--patient communication and the concerns of NICU parents, communication was made one of the priorities of the 'Principles of Family Centered Care' published in 1993. 9 The number one principle states that 'family centered neonatal care should be based on open and honest communication between parents and professionals on medical and ethical issues'. Although previous research has focused on parent education, 10 the times for teaching, 5,7 and the internet as a source of information, 12 there has been little research in regards to the specifics of 'open and honest communication'. It is not known from whom or from what source parents want to receive the 'clear and honest information'.The objectives of this study were to determine what sources of medical information are most helpful for NICU parents, who provides parents with the medical information, and also what expectations ...

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