title: Recommendations for peer-to-peer support for NICU parents.
abstract: Peer-to-peer support provided by 'veteran' neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents to those with current NICU babies is a legitimate and unique form of support that can complement or supplement, but not replace, services provided by professional NICU staff. Peer support can be delivered through hospital- or community-based programs that offer one-to-one in-person or telephone matches, or support groups that meet in-person or via the Internet. Issues in program development, volunteer training and program operation are discussed. Recommendations for offering peer support to all NICU parents as an integral component of family-centered care and comprehensive family support are presented.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, St John's Regional Medical Center, Oxnard, CA, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Elmira College, Elmira, NY, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: Program Director, Hand to Hold, Austin, TX, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beatty
authors.affiliation: Founder and President, NICU Helping Hands, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grubbs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002657:Child Development; D000066498:Emotional Adjustment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D000067074:Peer Influence; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D016730:Program Development; D012944:Social Support; D014838:Volunteers