title: Experience with videoconferencing between a neonatal unit and the families' home from the perspective of certified paediatric nurses.
abstract: Parents of preterm-born infants need support after returning to their homes with their baby. We studied the experience of certified paediatric nurses (CPNs) with the use of videoconferencing between the neonatal intensive care unit and the families' home. Families were given a home videoconferencing unit, which allowed them to contact staff at the neonatal unit, day and night. Over a period of 12 months, ten families used the videoconferencing equipment. Families made a median of 4 telemedicine calls each (range 2-30). Narrative interviews were performed with 10 CPNs after the study ended. Qualitative thematic content analysis was applied to the interview data and one theme was identified: smoothing the transition of infants from the neonatal unit to the families' home. The CPNs found that videoconferencing helped them to assess the overall situation at home and facilitated the relationship between parents and the infant. The CPNs felt that they were able to provide security to the family. The use of videoconferencing was considered as a generally positive experience and as a tool to improve nursing care at home.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden. birgitta.lindberg@ltu.se
authors.forename: Birgitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lindberg
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Axelsson
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohrling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008875:Middle Aged; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D010290:Parents; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017216:Telemedicine; D049269:Videoconferencing / Q000458:organization & administration*