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26-06-2023 | Care | Original Article

Opinion and Beliefs of Physicians about Integrating Families into the Care System of Preterm Hospitalized Neonates- A Qualitative Experience

Authors: Geetanjli Kalyan, Sushma Kumari Saini, Bandna Kumari, Praveen Kumar

Published in: Indian Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 4/2024

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Abstract

Objectives

To explore the opinions and beliefs of physicians about integrating families into the care system of hospitalized preterm neonates.

Methods

The setting was Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a tertiary care center in North India. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with the physicians using a pre-validated FGD topic guide. The FGDs were audio-recorded and transcribed. The meanings were drawn, and dependability was ensured. Themes and sub-themes were generated and finalized with a common consensus.

Results

Five FGDs were conducted involving 28 physicians. The physicians opined that making families a part of the care system has several benefits, though they brought out some concerns. They opined that involving parents gives them confidence and satisfaction as they get empowered about neonatal care at the hospital and home after discharge. They reported difficulties in communication due to perceived inadequacy in counseling skills, language barriers and literacy levels of families, and lack of adequate time due to clinical overload. They identified nurses and public health nurses as an important bridge between physicians and families, and peer support as a useful facilitator. They suggested that role assignments to team members, training in counseling and communication, improving the comfort of parents and organizing information in easy-to-understand audio- visual content can help improve the family integration.

Conclusions

The physicians highlighted practical barriers, facilitators, and remedial measures to effectively integrate the families into the care system of preterm hospitalized neonates. There is a need to address the concerns of all stakeholders including the physicians for successful implementation of family integration.
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Metadata
Title
Opinion and Beliefs of Physicians about Integrating Families into the Care System of Preterm Hospitalized Neonates- A Qualitative Experience
Authors
Geetanjli Kalyan
Sushma Kumari Saini
Bandna Kumari
Praveen Kumar
Publication date
26-06-2023
Publisher
Springer India
Keyword
Care
Published in
Indian Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 4/2024
Print ISSN: 0019-5456
Electronic ISSN: 0973-7693
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-023-04691-w

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