Parents' experiences with interprofessional collaboration in neonatal pain management: A descriptive qualitative study

Abstract

AimTo describe parents' experiences with interprofessional collaboration (IPC) in neonatal pain management.BackgroundNeonatal care should be based on IPC, and non‐pharmacological pain‐relieving methods are recommended to be used primarily that enables parental participation. However, there is a lack of knowledge about pain management on IPC from the parent's viewpoint.DesignA descriptive qualitative study.MethodThe research involved a purposive sample of parents (n = 16) whose infant had been treated at a neonatal intensive care unit in Finland. Interviews were conducted with participants from all over Finland who were recruited through the national association for premature infants. Parents discussed their experiences during semi‐structured interviews which were guided by the subareas of IPC, partnership, cooperation and coordination. The data were analysed using deductive‐inductive content analysis. The reporting of results followed COREQ guidelines.ResultsBased on the parent's experiences the partnership involved themes of understanding the neonatal pain management context, being able to influence the pain management, and feeling valued. Cooperation included themes of identifying different roles and equality. Coordination was described through the sharing of knowledge, skills and expertise, as well as feeling supported by professionals.ConclusionParental involvement on IPC should be developed through interventions that involve training around pain assessment and non‐pharmacological pain‐relief methods.Relevance for clinical practiceProfessionals involved in neonatal care should act in a goal‐oriented and unified manner to promote a culture of care that allows for active parental participation.No patient or public contributionThe research has been carried out in accordance with good scientific practice. Only the research team has been involved in the design, conduct, analysis and drafting of the manuscript.

Parent-led neonatal pain management—a narrative review and update of research and practices

“…Knowledge of providing pain management strategies for their infants empowers parents to take an active role in their infant's pain care, and updated knowledge on parent-led pain-reducing methods is a prerequisite for health care professionals' attitudes towards actively involving parents ( 76 , 80 – 82 , 85 , 86 , 88 – 90 , 96 , 97 ). Several factors across structural, organizational, and intra- and interpersonal levels have been reported.…”

“…Co-creation of mutual knowledge is a dynamic process that is important for the establishment of a nurse-parent partnership ( 110 ) which increases the sense of equality among parents and helps them feel valued, trusted, respected, and seen as a resource ( 86 ). Open and honest communication is the basis for cooperation in pain management ( 110 ), including health care professionals' willingness to listen to the parents to find a mutually satisfactory course of action ( 86 ). Parents want for example guidance on how to interpret an infant's pain and guidance in pain assessment.…”

“…Parents want for example guidance on how to interpret an infant's pain and guidance in pain assessment. A crucial factor is the freedom for the parents to choose and being listened to about how much, and in which way, they want to participate—or not ( 86 ).…”

“…Advocating for their infant's needs, being involved in shared decision making and having opportunities to provide parent-led non-pharmacological measures, empowers parents to take a more active role in the prevention, assessment and management of their infant's pain and discomfort (79). Consequently, prerequisites for parent-led pain management and equal partnership in the infant's pain care, are parental presence in the NICU and proximity to the infant as well as a trusting and updated staff, and access to information and guidance (5,(78)(79)(80)(81)(82)(83)(84)(85)(86).…”