Aaltonen T1, Saarinen J1
1Helsinki University Hospital, Children and Adolescents, New Children´s Hospital, Rehabilitation, Pediatric Physiotherapy, Helsinki, Finland
Background: Infants born prematurely are at increased risk of neurodevelopmental problems. The major objective in the care of preterm infants is to support the vital functions and prevent developmental problems. Infant development is strongly associated with parent-infant interaction. The focus in the care of preterm infants is in supportive collaboration with parents. Research suggests that early physiotherapy interventions that involve parents are more likely to show benefits. In two neonatal care units at Helsinki University Hospital all parents are instructed by physiotherapist in handling their preterm infants as a part of caregiving. The instructions aim to promote motor development.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine parent perceptions of benefits of handling instructions in supporting their preterm infants motor development. Structured feedback would enhance developing the physiotherapy protocol and applied methods. A secondary objective is to promote the teamwork and collaboration between nurses and physiotherapists in parent education.
Methods: A questionnaire including 26 questions was offered to parents to fill in at two neonatal care units at Helsinki University Hospital. The questionnaire contained both claims where parents chose how strongly they agreed or disagreed and open questions. The questions handled timing and length of the instruction session as well as the educational methods, understandability, applicability and nurses role in instructing parents.
Results: Altogether 44 families received the questionnaire and 22 answered (54%). 90% reported that the physiotherapist handling instructions were beneficial and had helped parents in caring for and handling their baby. 24% of parents wished that they had received the instructions earlier and 50% preferred more than just one instructions session. Parents reported that they want to rehearse the handling ways and wish to be reminded about the instructions. In open questions parents noted that most important things they had learned was how to pick the baby up easily and safely and how to hold their preterm baby in different ways. 96% of parents stated that it was important that the physiotherapist showed the right handling ways and that the parents practiced in guidance by the physiotherapist. Parents noticed some contradictions in instructions and ways of handling preterm infants between physiotherapists and nurses. 32% of parents reported that they didn´t get support for nurses part to the physiotherapist instructions. 96% answered that it is important that a physiotherapist guides parents in handling their preterm infant and that parents know the background and principles behind the instructions.
Conclusion(s): Handling instructions given by physiotherapist are perceived beneficial, helpful and support parents to be more confident in handling and caring for their preterm infant. Timing and rehearsal of the instructions is to be considered as well as collaboration with nursing staff to ensure the most beneficial ways in educating parents.
Implications: The results help to develop and unify the physiotherapy protocol and to ensure high quality in parent education.
Keywords: Parent education, preterm infant, physiotherapy
Funding acknowledgements: No funding.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine parent perceptions of benefits of handling instructions in supporting their preterm infants motor development. Structured feedback would enhance developing the physiotherapy protocol and applied methods. A secondary objective is to promote the teamwork and collaboration between nurses and physiotherapists in parent education.
Methods: A questionnaire including 26 questions was offered to parents to fill in at two neonatal care units at Helsinki University Hospital. The questionnaire contained both claims where parents chose how strongly they agreed or disagreed and open questions. The questions handled timing and length of the instruction session as well as the educational methods, understandability, applicability and nurses role in instructing parents.
Results: Altogether 44 families received the questionnaire and 22 answered (54%). 90% reported that the physiotherapist handling instructions were beneficial and had helped parents in caring for and handling their baby. 24% of parents wished that they had received the instructions earlier and 50% preferred more than just one instructions session. Parents reported that they want to rehearse the handling ways and wish to be reminded about the instructions. In open questions parents noted that most important things they had learned was how to pick the baby up easily and safely and how to hold their preterm baby in different ways. 96% of parents stated that it was important that the physiotherapist showed the right handling ways and that the parents practiced in guidance by the physiotherapist. Parents noticed some contradictions in instructions and ways of handling preterm infants between physiotherapists and nurses. 32% of parents reported that they didn´t get support for nurses part to the physiotherapist instructions. 96% answered that it is important that a physiotherapist guides parents in handling their preterm infant and that parents know the background and principles behind the instructions.
Conclusion(s): Handling instructions given by physiotherapist are perceived beneficial, helpful and support parents to be more confident in handling and caring for their preterm infant. Timing and rehearsal of the instructions is to be considered as well as collaboration with nursing staff to ensure the most beneficial ways in educating parents.
Implications: The results help to develop and unify the physiotherapy protocol and to ensure high quality in parent education.
Keywords: Parent education, preterm infant, physiotherapy
Funding acknowledgements: No funding.
Topic: Paediatrics
Ethics approval required: No
Institution: Helsinki University Hospital, Children and Adolescents, New Children´s Hospital
Ethics committee: Children´s Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, Helsinki University Hospital
Reason not required: The Research Center advised that ethics approval was not required.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
