Parents' Experiences After Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.
6 affiliations
- 1Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, 80122 Naples, Italy.
- 2Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
- 3Adriatic District Area, Local Health Authority 4 of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
- 4Health Professions Department, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, 50139 Florence, Italy.
- 5Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Local Health Authority 3 of Pescara, 65124 Pescara, Italy.
- 6Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Transition from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to home involves emotional adjustment and increasing parental responsibility for infant care. This study explored parents' experiences of this transition, focusing on emotional experiences, perceived continuity of care, and support needs. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study included 38 parents representing 34 preterm or medically complex infants discharged from a single NICU in an Italian tertiary children's hospital. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted within 12 months of discharge, audio-recorded, and transcribed in Italian. Predominantly inductive thematic analysis examined shared meanings and variations across parents' retrospective interview accounts. Recruitment was time-limited; neither saturation nor information power was formally assessed. Results: Four themes were developed: returning home with joy as the focus of fear changes; being with the infant and learning to provide care; remaining in contact without always feeling accompanied; and receiving support while needing space for parental distress. Joy and apprehension could coexist, with some parents describing relief or a shift from fear for the infant's health to concerns about independent caregiving. Useful practical instruction did not always translate into feeling prepared, while continuing professional contact could coexist with gaps in coordination between services. Staff, family, and peer support were valued alongside requests for dedicated attention to parental distress. Conclusions: Parents' accounts highlighted the importance of support responsive to individual needs throughout the transition. Priorities for service development include supported participation in care, individualized discharge preparation, coordination across hospital and community services, and access to psychological support.
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BibTeX
@article{derrico2026parents,
title = {{Parents' Experiences After Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.}},
author = {Adelaide D'Errico and Gianluca Azzellino and Biagio Nicolosi and Emanuele Buccione and Giorgia Grandville and Camilla Elena Magi and Laura Rasero and Stefano Bambi and Roberta Previdera},
journal = {Nursing reports (Pavia, Italy)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nursrep16100373},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42931346},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Parents' Experiences After Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.
AU - Adelaide D'Errico
AU - Gianluca Azzellino
AU - Biagio Nicolosi
AU - Emanuele Buccione
AU - Giorgia Grandville
AU - Camilla Elena Magi
AU - Laura Rasero
AU - Stefano Bambi
AU - Roberta Previdera
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - Nursing reports (Pavia, Italy)
DO - 10.3390/nursrep16100373
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42931346
AB - Background/Objectives: Transition from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to home involves emotional adjustment and increasing parental responsibility for infant care. This study explored parents' experiences of this transition, focusing on emotional experiences, perceived continuity of care, and support needs. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study included 38 parents representing 34 preterm or medically complex infants discharged from a single NICU in an Italian tertiary children's hospital. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted within 12 months of discharge, audio-recorded, and transcribed in Italian. Predominantly inductive thematic analysis examined shared meanings and variations across parents' retrospective interview accounts. Recruitment was time-limited; neither saturation nor information power was formally assessed. Results: Four themes were developed: returning home with joy as the focus of fear changes; being with the infant and learning to provide care; remaining in contact without always feeling accompanied; and receiving support while needing space for parental distress. Joy and apprehension could coexist, with some parents describing relief or a shift from fear for the infant's health to concerns about independent caregiving. Useful practical instruction did not always translate into feeling prepared, while continuing professional contact could coexist with gaps in coordination between services. Staff, family, and peer support were valued alongside requests for dedicated attention to parental distress. Conclusions: Parents' accounts highlighted the importance of support responsive to individual needs throughout the transition. Priorities for service development include supported participation in care, individualized discharge preparation, coordination across hospital and community services, and access to psychological support.
SN - 2039-439X
SN - 2039-4403
ER -