NICU parent-to-parent partnerships: a comprehensive approach

Neonatal Netw. 2014 Mar-Apr;33(2):66-73. doi: 10.1891/0730-0832.33.2.66.

Abstract

Parents of newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) find themselves in a world of unknown medical terminology, advanced technology, and the realization that their dream of a healthy baby has been shattered. The unique partnership with trained parent-to-parent volunteers, who have had previous NICU experiences, enhances professional support and helps new NICU parents adjust to these unexpected challenges. This practice-based article describes the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital NICU Parent-to-Parent Partnership's (PPP) 40-year commitment to the parent-to-parent philosophy and its comprehensive approach to delivering trained volunteer PPP services to NICU families. A historical review of the literature, including this hospital's original research, current programming, recruiting, training, supervision, and survey feedback, is outlined.

Keywords: NICU; parent support; parent-to-parent; patient- and family-centered care; peer mentors.

MeSH terms

  • Family Nursing*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal*
  • Parents* / education
  • Professional-Family Relations*
  • Social Support
  • Volunteers