Faculty Collaboration Database

Guiding mothers' management of health problems of very low birth-weight infants. Public Health Nurs 2006;23(3):205-15

Date

05/11/2006

Pubmed ID

16684198

DOI

10.1111/j.1525-1446.2006.230302.x

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-33745319357 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   11 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Explore the feasibility, usefulness, and outcomes of a pilot program to support mothers in developing competencies for managing health problems of their very low birth-weight (VLBW) infants in partnership with the primary care clinician (PCC).

DESIGN: In a randomized study, mothers who received guided participation (GP) and printed guidelines for managing VLBW infant health problems were compared with mothers who received only the guidelines and standard care (GL group).

SAMPLE: All mothers (GP = 20; GL = 11) were at least 18 years old and English speaking. Infants were all VLBW (< or =1,500 g).

INTERVENTION: GP began during the infant's neonatal intensive care unit stay and continued with public health nurses (PHNs) and a family service clinician through the infant's first 4 postterm months.

MEASUREMENTS: Intervention feasibility and usefulness were assessed with maternal and clinician feedback. Outcomes included maternal and clinician appraisal of mothers' use of clinical resources and mothers' perceptions of primary-care quality and the family-PCC relationship.

RESULTS: Intervention feasibility and usefulness were supported. GP and GL groups did not differ significantly on outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate a longer intervention period, GP organized by infant problem episodes, and enhancement of the PHN role in the context of interdisciplinary and interagency collaboration.

Author List

Pridham KA, Krolikowski MM, Limbo RK, Paradowski J, Rudd N, Meurer JR, Uttech A, Henriques JB

Author

John R. Meurer MD, MBA Institute Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Attitude of Health Personnel
Attitude to Health
Feasibility Studies
Humans
Infant Care
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
Longitudinal Studies
Mothers
Nurse's Role
Nursing Evaluation Research
Patient Education as Topic
Pilot Projects
Postnatal Care
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Program Evaluation
Public Health Nursing
Self-Assessment
Single-Blind Method
Social Support
Wisconsin