Oppfølging av premature barn etter tidlig hjemreise fra nyfødt intensiv ved hjelp av videosamtale er familiesentrert omsorg

Abstract

Abstract Background: In recent years, several neonatal intensive care units in Norway have begun to offer early discharge to families with premature infants and provide support through the use of video calls. Research in this area has previously been limited, especially when it comes to qualitative research from the perspective of nurses. The aim of the study was to gain increased knowledge about the nurses’ experiences with digital follow-up of premature infants at home using video calls. Research Question: What experience do nurses have with the use of video calls for follow-up on premature infants after early discharge? Method: Focus-group interviews of nurses with experience with follow-up of premature infants at home using video-calls. We have relied on Kirsti Malterud’s methodological literature in the field. We conducted three group interviews and did a thematic analysis of the data material. Results: The findings are grouped under three themes: 1) Preparations before returning home: The parents gradually took a greater part in the child’s care from birth. The nurses in the follow-up team provided systematic information and training in the time before early discharge. The nurses were conscious of getting to know the families since this benefited the whole process. 2) Digital follow-up: The nurses emphasized that one could not make clinical observations of the child over video call. This is thus something the parents master after the hospital stay. The camera provided better contact during the conversation. All teams received information from the parents about the child’s condition in advance of the video calls, which provided a safe framework for making decisions for further treatment. 3) Family-centered care. The parents received targeted training and became experts on their own child. At home, they were given confidence and the opportunity to make independent assessments of the child’s needs and condition. The nurses provided the necessary support and guidance to help the parents through the transition between hospital and home. Keywords: Prematurity, NICU, telemedicine, family centered care, early discharge, nursing, video call