Parental preference and ability to participate in web-based developmental screening and surveillance: preliminary evidence for preterm infants after NICU discharge.

Abstract

The objectives of this article were (a) to describe prevalence of Internet and email access among parents of preterm infants attending high-risk follow-up, (b) to describe parent preference for completing developmental questionnaires online versus on paper, and (c) to examine predictors of access and preference. We surveyed 270 parents of preterm infants attending a high-risk follow-up clinic about Internet and email access, preference for completing a developmental questionnaire online versus on paper. Median (interquartile range) gestational age was 28 (26, 30) weeks, and birth weight was 970 (765, 1230) grams. Ninety-five percent of parents had Internet and email access, and 71% preferred completing a developmental questionnaire online versus on paper or were indifferent. Less maternal education, lower family income, and Hispanic ethnicity were associated with less Internet and email access. Most families attending a high-risk preterm infant follow-up clinic had Internet and email access and preferred completing developmental questionnaires online to on paper or were indifferent.