Parent needs assessment instruments in neonatal intensive care units: Implications for parent education interventions

Abstract

ObjectivesPsychosocial and educational interventions based on standardized needs assessment can help alleviate distress among parents of premature infants. This study aims to (1) provide an overview of standardized instruments used to assess parental needs in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and (2) discuss their potential to facilitate the provision of appropriate support to parents of premature babies. MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted. PubMed, CiNAHL, PsychARTICLES, PsychINFO, and Medline were searched for studies reporting on the use of validated parental needs assessment instruments in the NICU. ResultsFollowing the analysis of 33 publications, 6 instruments designed to assess the needs of premature infants’ parents were identified. Based on their good psychometric properties and practicality, the NICU Family Needs Inventory, the Critical Care Maternal Needs Inventory, and the Nurse Parent Support Tool were considered particularly relevant for use in clinical and research settings. ConclusionsValidated parent needs assessment instruments are available for use in the NICU setting. Further research evaluating the benefits and usability of standardized parental needs assessment in the NICU is needed. Practice implicationsValidated needs assessment instruments should be consistently used to facilitate the development of targeted psychosocial and educational interventions for parents in the NICU.