Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Parents experience significant stress when their baby receives a prenatal diagnosis that will require surgical treatment. This study aimed to explore parents' experiences of a neonatal surgical pathway and develop recommendations for support. METHODS: Twenty-four parents completed surveys and nine parents were subsequently interviewed regarding their experiences of the neonatal surgical pathway. Themes were identified using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Parents highlighted the importance of preparation, empathetic communication and involvement in their baby's care. Different levels of support that parents would find useful ranged from parent-to-parent mentoring, a space to discuss feelings in medical consultations, ensuring physical health needs were met, and access to embedded psychological support. CONCLUSION: The findings show that beyond the immediate stress of having an unwell child, the way in which the wider medical system holds parents in their distress has a major impact on parents' wellbeing. IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE: Recommendations to improve support are provided at universal, targeted and specialist levels. For example, it is advised that all parents receive preparation throughout different stages of the treatment journey through antenatal counselling, ward tours, and the opportunity to speak to former patients. Efforts should be made to solicit parents' feelings and concerns to enable them to feel heard and cared for. A number of parents may experience heightened levels of distress, for whom access to specialist psychological support may be indicated.
Source: Journal of Pediatric Nursing
Authors: H. Wilkinson, M. Hotton, K. Damazer, C. Inness, K. Lakhoo, J. Cordwell
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,730
OpenAlex ID: W4416959100