Closeness and separation experiences on the neonatal unit version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Closeness and separation experiences on the neonatal unit: a pilot feasibility study
IRAS ID
213870
Contact name
Fiona Price
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 30 days
Research summary
There is increasing recognition of the importance of the parent infant relationship for both parent and child well-being. Being born too early and admission to a neonatal unit affects this relationship. Evidence suggests that when parents are able to do normal things for their baby like cuddling and talking to their baby when they are on the neonatal unit there is a positive impact on a baby’s brain development, parental well-being and the bond the parent has with their baby. Studies in Canada and Finland have explored the experiences of parents and nursing staff in caring for babies on neonatal units using an application installed on a smart phone.
This study aims:
• to test the use of the mobile phone application used in Canada & Finland in a UK neonatal unit and
• to explore experiences of families in caring for babies in a UK setting
• to use the information from this pilot study to plan a larger study to explore the experiences of families who find it difficult to visit the neonatal unit to care for their baby.
The application will be installed on to the smart phone of those agreeing to participate and will allow them to make audio recordings of their experiences which will be saved on a secure server. These recordings will be downloaded and typed up for analysis by the lead researcher, then deleted from the server. All data will be anonymised and analysed prior to being written up and disseminated.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/YH/0034
Date of REC Opinion
12 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion