PhD Alum, Faculty Write Article on Parent Engagement in NICU
Ashlee Vance, PhD'19, Sharron Docherty, assistant dean, PhD in Nursing Program, and Debra Brandon, associate professor, write "Inpatient Unit Leaders' Perspectives on Parent Engagement in Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care: A Secondary, Qualitative Analysis" in Advances in Neonatal Care.
Ashlee Vance, PhD'19, Sharron Docherty, assistant dean, PhD in Nursing Program, and Debra Brandon, associate professor, wrote "Inpatient Unit Leaders' Perspectives on Parent Engagement in Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care: A Secondary, Qualitative Analysis" in Advances in Neonatal Care.
Abstract
Background
Hospital unit leaders help set the unit's priorities and are responsible for guiding the unit mission and philosophy of care; however, the perspective of leaders in facilitating parent engagement within intensive care units is limited.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to explore how medical and nursing unit leaders facilitate parent engagement in intensive care settings.
Methods
Qualitative secondary analysis of 16 semistructured interviews of unit leadership (medical directors and nurse managers). Directed content analysis explored themes within the interviews using systematic strategies to ensure rigor.
Findings
Unit leadership described 3 main features of care delivery necessary for supporting parent engagement: (1) culture of care, (2) relationships in care, and (3) environment of care. Communication among providers and parents and timing of decision-making were key areas addressed, along with concerns about physical space limiting parent engagement. Unit leaders discussed how the 3 main features (unit culture, relationships, and physical space) of care delivery were interconnected to optimize parent engagement.
Implications for Practice
Overall, unit leaders recognized the importance of each feature of care delivery in facilitating engagement. Parent engagement is ultimately influenced by the optimization of delivering inclusive care: the physical space, the policies surrounding medical and nursing care, and the overall culture of the unit.
Implications for Research
Future research needs to explore best practices around relationship building and managing space limitations. Further clarification of the needs and expectations of both parents and providers surrounding parent engagement in intensive care settings is needed.
Citation
Vance, Ashlee J. PhD, MA, RN, RNC-NIC; Docherty, Sharron PhD, PNP, RN, FAAN; Brandon, Debra H. PhD, RN, CNS, FAAN Inpatient Unit Leaders' Perspectives on Parent Engagement in Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care, Advances in Neonatal Care: February 2021 - Volume 21 - Issue 1 - p 77-86 doi: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000000736