Work

Navigating the patient pathway: An integrative review of parental mental health and support needs following neonatal gastrointestinal surgery

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: PROBLEM: Infants with congenital gastrointestinal malformations often face complex care needs post-discharge, resulting in parents managing care needs they have not previously thought they should perform. When the caregiver burden is perceived too high it can negatively affect the mental health and quality of life. However, it is unclear how the state of the parents' mental health and their support needs are during their infant's patient pathway. PURPOSE: This integrative review aims to synthesize quantitative and qualitative evidence regarding parents' mental health, their experiences throughout the patient pathway, and their care needs during the first two years following neonatal gastrointestinal surgery. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: The study followed the integrative review process of Whittemore & Knafl. A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, and CINAHL. Included were research articles published after 2004, focusing on the experiences, support needs, and mental health of parents of infants with gastrointestinal malformations. SAMPLE: The review included 7 quantitative and 5 qualitative studies, assessed for quality using The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: The overarching theme identified was "Resilience in early parenthood requires mental strength, practical coping, and supportive relations," based on three categories: 1) Echoes of trauma, 2) Facing reality, and 3) Empowering connections. CONCLUSIONS: When discharging infants after neonatal gastrointestinal surgery, a multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach between hospital and community care is needed to ensure sufficient support to the parents. IMPLICATIONS: Optimal support and parental involvement require multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral care planning for infants with complex care needs.

Source: Journal of Pediatric Nursing

DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2025.11.034

Authors: Karina Hesselvig Vaupell, Jette Marcussen, Jane Clemensen, Gitte Zachariassen, Kristina Garne Holm

Institutions: University of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Family and Disability Support Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,730