The Effectiveness of Parental Education Programs within Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Parenthood brings stress and anxiety to new parents due to the dramatic role transition. Parents who have a newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience an increased level of stress. Increasing parental competencies in complex infant care compounds stress; therefore, finding the most effective method of parental education may improve parental health, well-being, and quality of life. Enhanced knowledge prepares parents to transition home. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness of parental education interventions conducted within the NICU. Methods: CINHAL, Medline, PsychInfo, Web of Science, PubMed, and OT Search databases were searched to locate studies focusing on parental education, provided via healthcare workers, as a main intervention for parents with infants in the NICU. Articles were independently reviewed and selected based on defined inclusion criteria. Results: 20 articles were included and synthesized according to the method of education, parental outcomes, and the provider of education. Conclusions: Parental education is an effective way to facilitate positive parental outcomes. Utilizing combined methods to deliver education with repeated, consistent exposure, and checking for parent understanding is the best approach to minimize negative parental outcomes and improve preparedness for discharge.