Introduction. Information and communication technology (ICT) are becoming a natural part in healthcare both for delivering and giving accessibility to healthcare for people with chronic illness living at home. Aim. The aim was to review existing studies describing the use of ICT in home care for communication between patients, family members, and healthcare professionals. Methods. A review of studies was conducted that identified 1,276 studies. A selection process and quality appraisal were conducted, which finally resulted in 107 studies. Results. The general results offer an overview of characteristics of studies describing the use of ICT applications in home care and are summarized in areas including study approach, quality appraisal, publications data, terminology used for defining the technology, and disease diagnosis. The specific results describe how communication with ICT was performed in home care and the benefits and drawbacks with the use of ICT. Results were predominated by positive responses in the use of ICT. Conclusion. The use of ICT applications in home care is an expanding research area, with a variety of ICT tools used that could increase accessibility to home care. Using ICT can lead to people living with chronic illnesses gaining control of their illness that promotes self-care.

The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of being a father to a prematurely born infant. Eight fathers of prematurely born children were interviewed using a narrative approach, and a thematic content analysis was used to analyse the interviews. The fathers described that the preterm birth gave them the chance to get to know their infant as they had to spend time at the intensive care unit. They also felt better educated by professionals who helped them take care of their infant. Their feelings and attachment for their infant increased over time and the fathers felt that they had a stronger bond with their child compared with friends who had babies born at term. As time passed, they became more confident as a father. In spite of the strain, the experience made them change as a person and they expressed having different values. The relationship with their partner was strengthened as they handled this situation together as a couple. However, the fathers felt fortunate despite everything and described having managed a prematurely born infant rather well. Although there are similarities between being a father to a child born at term and to one born preterm, it is significant to gain further knowledge about the specific experiences of fathers of prematurely born infants. The results of this study have implications for nurses working with families who have children born prematurely.

Objectives. The aim of this study was to describe the mothers' experience of having a prematurely born infant, with the focus on the birth itself and during the time immediately following the birth. Study design. A qualitative design was chosen to achieve the aim of this study. Methods. Six mothers, whose infants were born prematurely and thereby needed care on a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), participated in the study. Narrative interviews were conducted and the mothers were encouraged to freely narrate their experiences of having an infant born preterm. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the interviews. Results. The results show that mothers were not prepared for having prematurely born infants and that initially they had difficulties feeling like a mother. Having an infant born preterm was dominated by feelings of anxiety. Feeling closeness to the child was important, and separation from the child was a very stressful experience. Family life was affected, but mothers felt they were able to handle the situation if they received support from their partner and hospital staff, and if they were equipped with knowledge regarding the birth and care of a premature infant. Furthermore, it was important for the mothers to be involved in their infants' care. Conclusions. Support and knowledge made it possible for mothers to handle having a premature infant. Mothers' situations could be facilitated if nurses had increased knowledge and understanding about how mothers experience this situation.

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Parents of preterm-born infants need support after returning to their homes with their baby. We studied the experience of certified paediatric nurses (CPNs) with the use of videoconferencing between the neonatal intensive care unit and the families' home. Families were given a home videoconferencing unit, which allowed them to contact staff at the neonatal unit, day and night. Over a period of 12 months, ten families used the videoconferencing equipment. Families made a median of 4 telemedicine calls each (range 2-30). Narrative interviews were performed with 10 CPNs after the study ended. Qualitative thematic content analysis was applied to the interview data and one theme was identified: smoothing the transition of infants from the neonatal unit to the families' home. The CPNs found that videoconferencing helped them to assess the overall situation at home and facilitated the relationship between parents and the infant. The CPNs felt that they were able to provide security to the family. The use of videoconferencing was considered as a generally positive experience and as a tool to improve nursing care at home.

40The Family Initiative's International Neonatal Fathers Working Group, whose members are 41 the authors of this paper, has reviewed the literature on engaging fathers in neonatal units, 42with the aim of making recommendations for improved health outcomes in neonatal 43practice. We find that supporting the father-baby bond and supporting coparenting 44between the mother and the father benefits the health of the baby, for example, improved 45 weight gain and oxygen saturation and enhanced rates of breastfeeding. We find, however, 46that despite much interest in engaging with parents as full partners in the care of their baby, 47 UNICEF's Baby Friendly Initiative (www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-

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The aim of this study was to elucidate meanings of balance in everyday life for people with long-term illnesses living at home. People living with long-term illnesses are in need of help and support to manage their daily lives. Twelve adults with extensive needs for help and support were interviewed. A phenomenological hermeneutic interpretation was used to analyse the interview texts. The findings show that balance in everyday life for people with long-term illnesses means striving for independence through care and support in their surroundings. It was also important to be able to choose how their lives would be and to be with others who listened and understood them for who they are. By building a relationship with patients at an early stage of their illnesses, nursing staff have an opportunity to understand what people who are living at home with long-term illnesses need in order to achieve balance in their everyday lives.