title: Being together as a family.
abstract: The mothers and fathers of six newborn infants, hospitalised for gastro-intestinal surgery were interviewed about their needs. Parental needs were categorised into the theoretical concepts of 'coming to terms', 'developing understanding' and 'achieving contact' with the dominant theme for parents being that of 'seeking to be together as a family unit'. Nursing interventions in this context should be aimed at addressing these needs.
authors.affiliation: Baby Surgical Unit, Birmingham Children's Hospital.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Long
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002673:Child, Hospitalized; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations