Fathers' Involvement in a Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Cohort Study

Aim

To date, studies exploring patterns of fathers' involvement in their neonate's care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and barriers to involvement have utilised qualitative approaches, which can be time- and resource-consuming. This study aimed to explore the fathers' involvement in a surgical NICU using a novel tool along with identifying potential facilitators and barriers to fathers' involvement in their neonate's care.

Methods

This single-centre prospective cohort study was conducted at a surgical NICU (SNICU). A novel questionnaire, Fathers' Involvement Questionnaire: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (FIQ:NICU) comprising four sections, was developed based on current evidence and expert consensus. Study data were collected and managed using REDCap electronic data capture tools. Involvement scores are reported for individual items, subscales (Physical contact, Verbal Interaction, During Procedures, Cares/Feeding, Participation in rounds), and total score (possible range 0–92). Associations between subscales and total FIQ scores and confidence levels were explored using bivariate correlation (Pearson's r).

Results

Thirty-two fathers participated. Total FIQ:NICU scores ranged from 20 to 74, mean score 55.1 (95% confidence interval 49.9–60.2), SD 14.24. Fathers reported the highest level of involvement in ‘During Procedures’ subscale (M = 2.88, SD = 1.00) and the lowest involvement in ‘Cares/Feeding’ (M = 1.67, SD = 0.83). All fathers reported support from their partner (100%) as a facilitator, followed by support from nurses (71.9%). The most frequently reported barrier was lines and tubes on their neonate (46.9%), followed by work/job commitments (34.4%).

Conclusions

Support from healthcare professionals, psychologists and peers can increase father's involvement in their neonate's care in SNICU.