The Effect of the Close Collaboration With Parents Intervention - Estonian Study

Summary

The overall aim of the study is to implement an evidence-based intervention called 'Close Collaboration with Parents' in Estonian neonatal units. The goal of the intervention is to educate the whole multi-professional NICU staff and promote a positive change in the family-centered care culture of the units. Thus, the first aim of the study is to implement the intervention in an Estonian NICU context, in three hospitals, and study the fidelity of the intervention. More precisely, the study questions are whether adaptations are needed for the successful implementation of the intervention in the Estonian context and how feasible are the used implementation strategies. Secondly, the aim is to study the effectiveness of the Close Collaboration with Parents intervention in this context by using a quasi-experimental, pre-test - post-test, study design. The questions are whether the implementation of the intervention in the Estonian setting will result in positive effects such as 1) an improved development environment for the infants during hospital stay (less noise, more parental speech, and more parent-infant physical closeness), 2) intensified parental bonding to the infant, and 3) increased parental confidence and emotional well-being at the time of discharge from hospital.

Conditions

• Depression, Postpartum
• Anxiety

Interventions

OTHER

Close Collaboration with Parents

The Close Collaboration with Parents intervention is an educational program for the neonatal staff to improve their skills to collaborate with parents and provide support to parenting during an infant's hospitalization. First, experienced nurses and doctors from the units will undergo a 14-day to become "unit mentors". Then these unit mentors will train other members of staff. The training of the units is based on bedside practices, a reflection of the practices, and the application of the knowledge in everyday work. Theoretical learning, preceding clinical bedside mentoring, will occur through an e-learning module. Staff members will spend about 4 working days in training alongside their routine work. The unit mentors will function as facilitators for the staff, and they have dedicated time for this. The content of the bedside practices is guided by a manual. The training team will provide frequent remote and contact support for the implementation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Tartu

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Turku

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Sari Ahlqvist-Björkroth, Assoc.Prof. · University of Turku

• Heili Varendi, Prof. · University of Tartu and Tartu University Hospital

• Liis Toome, MD · Tallinn Children's Hospital

• Pille Saik, MD · West Tallinn Central Hospital

• Liisa Lehtonen, Prof. · University of Turku

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

SEQUENTIAL

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-03-23

Primary Completion

2023-07-31

Completion

2023-07-31

Countries

• Finland

Study Locations