Transition from the neonatal unit to home: Parents' educational needs to promote their psychological well-being and sleep quality

Purpose

Parents may experience altered psychological well-being and sleep following the discharge of their preterm infant. They also perceive a lack of information from healthcare professionals. This study aims to describe the educational needs of parents regarding their psychological well-being and their sleep quality following their infant's discharge from the neonatal unit.

Design and methods

This descriptive quantitative study uses an online survey to assess parental information needs. Multiple parents (n = 87) completed the survey. Descriptive statistics were conducted to report the results of the survey.

Results

According to parents, the most helpful information given by health professionals to reduce the stress felt during this period concerned the follow-up of the infant after hospitalization and access to a health professional in case of questions (n = 12; 31.6%). Few parents (n = 17; 19.5%) reported seeing a health professional about their sleep in the past six months. According to 54.8% of parents, none of the information received by health professionals when preparing for their infant's transition home helped improve their sleep quality.

Conclusion

After discharge, parents have several information needs that may impact their psychological well-being and the quality of their sleep.

Practice implications

Healthcare professionals must address these informational needs before and after discharge from the neonatal unit to enhance the experience of parents during the transition of their preterm infant in the family environment.