Introduction
Family-centered care (FCC) is a transformative approach in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that emphasizes the active participation of parents in the care of their newborns. This model, which has been successfully implemented in high-resource settings, is now being explored in low-resource settings like India. The study titled "Assessment of feasibility and acceptability of family-centered care implemented at a neonatal intensive care unit in India" provides valuable insights into how FCC can be adapted and implemented in such environments.
Understanding the Study
The study conducted at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, India, aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of FCC in a NICU setting. The research involved 333 parent-attendant/infant dyads, 24 doctors, and 21 nurses, assessing their participation in FCC training sessions and the implementation of care activities.
Key Findings
- High Participation: Of the 1242 planned parent-attendant training sessions, 939 (75.6%) were held, indicating high program fidelity. About 95% of parent-attendants completed the initial training sessions.
- Feasibility: The study demonstrated that FCC is feasible in the NICU setting, with healthcare providers and parents actively participating in the care process.
- Acceptability: The program was well-received by both healthcare providers and parents, with high compliance rates for most FCC activities.
Implications for Practitioners
For practitioners in speech-language pathology and related fields, the study highlights several actionable insights:
- Encourage Parent Involvement: Practitioners can advocate for FCC by encouraging parents to participate in care activities, which can enhance parent-infant bonding and improve developmental outcomes.
- Training and Support: Providing comprehensive training for both healthcare providers and parents is crucial for the successful implementation of FCC.
- Collaborative Care Models: Emphasizing collaboration between healthcare providers and families can lead to better health outcomes and increased satisfaction for all parties involved.
Further Research
While the study provides a strong foundation for FCC implementation, further research is needed to explore its long-term impact on newborn health outcomes and parental caregiving skills post-discharge. Additionally, understanding the challenges faced by healthcare providers in adopting this model can help refine FCC practices.
Conclusion
The implementation of family-centered care in NICUs in India has shown promising results in terms of feasibility and acceptability. By fostering a collaborative environment where parents are active participants in their child's care, FCC can lead to improved health outcomes and enhanced parent-infant bonding. Practitioners are encouraged to explore this model further and consider its integration into their practice.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Assessment of feasibility and acceptability of family-centered care implemented at a neonatal intensive care unit in India.
