A Qualitative Study on the Psychological Needs of Hospitalized Newborns’ Parents During COVID-19 Outbreak in China

Abstract

Background: As the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in China, the parents of hospitalized neonatal patients commonly endure more psychological stress compared to the general population, which probably originated from not staying with their children, inconvenience of daily life, and financial crisis. Objectives: We investigated the psychological needs of hospitalized newborns' parents during the COVID-19 outbreak in Chongqing, China. Methods: The phenomenological method was used to conduct this qualitative research. In-depth interviews were carried out on 14 parents of hospitalized newborns by the same interview based on a semi-structured interview outlines. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using Colaizzi's 7-step analysis method. Results: All the subjects' children were admitted to a neonatal ward within the first two weeks of initiating the first-level response to COVID-19 in Chongqing, China. The in-depth interviews identified five themes regarding the parents' primary psychological needs, which included urgent demand for timely up-to-date information about the children's condition, demand for psychological and emotional support, reducing the inconvenience caused by the epidemic outbreak, claim for protective information after discharge, demand for financial support. Conclusions: Based on the parents' needs, the medical staff should actively communicate with the parents, effectively provide emotional and financial support, and convenience. Such support could be helpful to relieve the parents' psychological stress.

Supporting parents as essential care partners in neonatal units during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic

“…Studies were conducted globally (n = 2 studies 16,17 ), in the USA (n = 3 studies [17][18][19] ) in the UK (n = 2 studies 19,20 ), one in China 21 and one in Italy. 22 Two studies used mixed-methods, 16,19 4 were quantitative studies, 17,18,20,22 and 1 was a qualitative study.…”

“…22 Two studies used mixed-methods, 16,19 4 were quantitative studies, 17,18,20,22 and 1 was a qualitative study. 21 The most common study design was a cross-sectional survey. See Table 1 for details of the studies included.…”

“…17 Some hospitals completely refused entry to parents during the pandemic, even if their infant was in extremis. 17,19,21 Most often the hospital policies evolved to permit one parent at a time to be present with the infant. However, the support for prolonged parental presence (rest space and food) was significantly reduced 17,20 and there was a significant reduction in therapy services and lactation support.…”

COVID-19 in Children and Neonates: A Comprehensive Review Article

“…However, for the resuscitation of neonates born from COVID-19 suspected or confirmed mothers, medical workers must wear N95 masks, protective gowns, goggles, and head covers. Moreover, after confirmation of COVID-19 in the mother, the baby should also be isolated and tested (37,38).…”

COVID-19 Pandemic and Neonatal Health: What We Know so Far?

“…50 The parents of the neonates infected by COVID-19 may suffer emotional and psychological stress, thus health care providers should counsel them frequently about the current condition and urgent needs of the neonates. 51 The information presented in this article were based on the online published literature from 1 st December to 9 th August 2020.…”