A systematic mapping review of effective interventions for communicating with, supporting and providing information to parents of preterm infants

Abstract

Background and objectiveThe birth of a preterm infant can be an overwhelming experience of guilt, fear and helplessness for parents. Provision of interventions to support and engage parents in the care of their infant may improve outcomes for both the parents and the infant. The objective of this systematic review is to identify and map out effective interventions for communication with, supporting and providing information for parents of preterm infants.DesignSystematic searches were conducted in the electronic databases Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, the Cochrane library, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Midwives Information and Resource Service, Health Management Information Consortium, and Health Management and Information Service. Hand-searching of reference lists and journals was conducted. Studies were included if they provided parent-reported outcomes of interventions relating to information, communication and/or support for parents of preterm infants prior to the birth, during care at the neonatal intensive care unit and after going home with their preterm infant. Titles and abstracts were read for relevance, and papers judged to meet inclusion criteria were included. Papers were data-extracted, their quality was assessed, and a narrative summary was conducted in line with the York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination guidelines.Studies reviewedOf the 72 papers identified, 19 papers were randomised controlled trials, 16 were cohort or quasi-experimental studies, and 37 were non-intervention studies.ResultsInterventions for supporting, communicating with, and providing information to parents that have had a premature infant are reported. Parents report feeling supported through individualised developmental and behavioural care programmes, through being taught behavioural assessment scales, and through breastfeeding, kangaroo-care and baby-massage programmes. Parents also felt supported through organised support groups and through provision of an environment where parents can meet and support each other. Parental stress may be reduced through individual developmental care programmes, psychotherapy, interventions that teach emotional coping skills and active problem-solving, and journal writing. Evidence reports the importance of preparing parents for the neonatal unit through the neonatal tour, and the importance of good communication throughout the infant admission phase and after discharge home. Providing individual web-based information about the infant, recording doctor–patient consultations and provision of an information binder may also improve communication with parents. The importance of thorough discharge planning throughout the infant's admission phase and the importance of home-support programmes are also reported.ConclusionThe paper reports evidence of interventions that help support, communicate with and inform parents who have had a premature infant throughout the admission phase of the infant, discharge and return home. The level of evidence reported is mixed, and t...

Parental perceptions of hypothermia treatment for neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy

“…[15,16] Despite satisfaction with overall care, many parents were anxious and felt helpless and unable to protect their baby from pain, and this underlying perception about pain is consistent with other pain literature. [17,18] All families who said they were able to cope attached great importance to a timely meeting with the clinical team at the start of treatment.…”

“…It has been suggested that greater emphasis on continuity with communication might improve parents' ability to cope. [15,16] Breast feeding and skin to skin care are both perceived by parents as important to co-regulate with their infant and development of bonding. [19,20].…”

The Family Perspective on Hospital to Home Transitions: A Qualitative Study

“…There is evidence, primarily in newborn and high-risk adult populations, that postdischarge home nurse visits or phone calls can improve outcomes such as decreased health care utilization. [35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] Such evidence, in combination with our findings, reinforces the need for further study of visits or calls that are tailored to meet the needs of families after hospital discharge. Determining their impact on both family-centered outcomes in addition to health care utilization is critical.…”

Parent's support group as a transforming experience for families at a neonatal unit

“…The disease or clinical complications of the newborn that arises then, cause much suffering 4,6,7,15 , requiring radical and inevitable changes in the family routine 6,16,17 . A goal to be considered by the health team in the treatment of hospitalized infants is to reduce the anxiety of parents by offering support, answering questions, helping them to express their feelings 17 .…”