Parents’ Experiences With a Model of Integrated Maternity and Neonatal Care Designed to Empower Parents

ObjectiveTo explore the experiences of parents with an integrated maternity and neonatal ward designed to empower by providing family-integrated care (FICare) mother–newborn couplets in single-family rooms.DesignA qualitative analysis a contextual constructivist approach.SettingAn level 2 teaching hospital Amsterdam, Netherlands. Maternity care, up including highly complex is provided rooms according principles FICare.ParticipantsTwenty-seven mothers nine fathers newborns who were hospitalized for at least 7 days.MethodsWe held four focus group discussions eight semistructured interviews 1 3 months after discharge newborn which (mechanisms) facilitated or impeded aspects parent empowerment (outcomes) under specific conditions infrastructure (contexts). We used realist evaluation model analyze data.ResultsOur revealed five themes (outcomes): Feeling Respected, Gaining Self-Management Tools, Insights Into Newborn’s Condition, Perceived Control, Self-Efficacy. For each theme, participants reported facilitating impeding that initiated influenced combination rooms, couplet rooming-in, FICare Unrestricted physical proximity their newborns, 24 hours per day, safe private environment offered intensive learning through active participation care. It helped them achieve independent parenthood time discharge, but it also generated challenges such as power conflicts staff; prioritizing themselves, siblings, newborn; feelings isolation; lack sleep.ConclusionProviding offers context discharge. Health professionals should be aware facilitators experienced close day rooms. This awareness will allow better support process toward