Recommendations for peer-to-peer support for NICU parents

Abstract

Peer-to-peer support provided by ‘veteran' neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents to those with current NICU babies is a legitimate and unique form of support that can complement or supplement, but not replace, services provided by professional NICU staff. Peer support can be delivered through hospital- or community-based programs that offer one-to-one in-person or telephone matches, or support groups that meet in-person or via the Internet. Issues in program development, volunteer training and program operation are discussed. Recommendations for offering peer support to all NICU parents as an integral component of family-centered care and comprehensive family support are presented.

The evolution of family‐centered care: From supporting parent‐delivered interventions to a model of family integrated care

“…Peer‐to‐peer support from parents of children who previously were cared for in an NICU setting is an effective psychoeducational intervention, providing parents with support from a nonprofessional peer who has “walked in their shoes.” Peer parents receive training in how to listen and share lessons from their own experience without offering medical advice or serving in a therapist role. Peer support can be effective when provided in person, one‐to‐one or in groups, or remotely using e‐mail, text, video conferencing, or telephone modalities (Bourque et al, ; Bracht et al, ; Hall, Ryan, Beatty, & Grubbs, ; Rossman, Greene, & Meier, ).…”

“…Peer parents receive training in how to listen and share lessons from their own experience without offering medical advice or serving in a therapist role. Peer support can be effective when provided in person, one-to-one or in groups, or remotely using e-mail, text, video conferencing, or telephone modalities (Bourque et al, 2018;Bracht et al, 2013;Hall, Ryan, Beatty, & Grubbs, 2015;Rossman, Greene, & Meier, 2015).…”

Family Integrated Care: changing the culture in the neonatal unit

“…Enabling parents to meet, share experiences and support each other is an important component of our FIC programme 31. Many families have developed strong and lasting connections after meeting regularly at our family awareness sessions.…”

Facilities for presence and provision of support to parents and significant others in neonatal units

“…Depending on the architectural design of the NICU, parents are more or less able to share their experiences with other parents as well as with significant others during their NICU stay . Findings from qualitative, cross‐sectional and case‐series studies report that peer‐support and/or professional‐led support groups for parents in NICUs may relieve anxiety, give parents an opportunity to communicate with staff and help parents gain confidence in their parenting skills . “Peer‐to‐peer groups” (ie parents meet with or without a “facilitator” who is usually a nurse) have been implemented internationally and are used in Swedish NICUs, although the extent of usage is not known.…”