title: Simulation as Part of Discharge Teaching for Parents of Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Simulation has become accepted as a method to increase confidence among healthcare professionals. We felt simulation might have similar benefits for parents of babies about to be discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We developed the Neonatal Home Environment Learning Program to promote parental confidence in anticipation of their infant's discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  This evaluation study was conducted with 15 mother/father dyads. Each participant recorded a self-perceived confidence score before and after the simulation experience. Participants also completed a program evaluation and participated in a debriefing session. Confidence scores (pre- and postsimulation) and evaluation scores were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Responses from the debriefing sessions were analyzed using descriptive phenomenology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parents rated the simulation experience highly. During debriefings, parents shared that the simulation made them feel more prepared. Two themes emerged from the debriefing data: doing it alone was different than I expected and feeling more confident.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A simulation experience for parents helps to ensure a positive transition to home and safe, effective care after discharge of the infant.
authors.affiliation: Deborah A. Raines is an Associate Professor, University at Buffalo, School of Nursing, Buffalo, NY. The author can be reached via e-mail at draines@buffalo.edu.
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Raines
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D016544:Patient Simulation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000523:psychology