Parent perceptions of an NICU follow-up clinic.

PURPOSE

To learn how parents perceived their experiences during a visit to an academic center's NICU follow-up clinic and what they would change about the clinic if given the opportunity.

DESIGN

A qualitative study utilizing artifact collection, participant observation, and semistructured interviews.

SAMPLE

Seven families that went to the clinic.

MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE

What parents did and did not like about the clinic and what they would change about the clinic.

RESULTS

Parent concerns included lack of information about the clinic prior to the first appointment, length of wait prior to seeing the physician, preference for more appropriate toys for use during the wait, desire for additional explanations during the exam process, uncertainty about the effects of prematurity on their child's development, and need for more developmental and parenting information.