How Healthcare Provider Characteristics Affect Their Attitudes and Skills in Involving Families in Caring for Small and Sick Newborns Throughout the Perinatal Period.

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare providers (HCPs) are essential in providing care and working with families with small and sick newborns throughout the perinatal care continuum. While clinical experience, education, and training influence HCPs' attitudes and skills regarding family involvement in care, the specific factors affecting Ghanaian HCPs remain unclear.

Objectives: To identify HCPs' characteristics that influence their attitudes and self-perceived practice skills toward involving families in the perinatal care continuum for small and sick newborns.

Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study involved 141 HCPs, including nurses, midwives, and medical staff, from one secondary and 13 primary healthcare facilities in Ghana. Participants completed an online survey using two standardized scales: (1) "Family Importance in Nursing Care-Nursing Attitudes" which assesses HCPs' perceptions of the significance of family involvement in care and the (2) "Family Nursing Practice Scale" which evaluates the extent to which HCPs integrate family-systems approaches in their practice. Data analysis involved multiple linear regression models.

Results: Self-perceived practice skills and attitudes towards family involvement influenced HCPs in multiple dimensions, including viewing "family as a burden" (associated with increased stress), "as a conversational partner" (as active participants in care), and as a "resource in care" (having their own coping resources). Availability of a family systems care work approach and prior education in family systems care significantly influenced HCPs' self-perceived practice skills. HCPs skills and attitudes in family involvement influenced each other.

Conclusion: Transforming attitudes towards family systems care across all levels, from hospital to home, should aim to improve the quality of newborn care. Tailored family systems care education, skills training, and institutional support are needed to enhance HCPs' skills and attitudes across the perinatal care continuum for small and sick newborns.