Exploring neonatal nurses’ and parents’ understanding of communication
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring neonatal nurses’ and parents’ understanding of the factors that both enhance and hinder communication and early interaction between preterm infants and their parents.
IRAS ID
309641
Contact name
Julia Petty
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hertfordshire
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
This project will investigate both nurse and parent understanding of factors that enhance or hinder the development of communication and early interaction between preterm infants and their caregivers within a neonatal unit setting. Having a preterm infant is stressful for parents, and learning how to communicate and enhance maternal/carer sensitivity to an infant through eye contact, initiating talking with and responding using natural gestures and facial expressions can increase attachment and bonding, support parent well–being, and improve the interpretation of early infant communication signals during everyday care.
The need to explore infant interaction in the early stages of development is an urgent necessity as increased mask wearing, as part of protective personal equipment (PPE) use during the COVID pandemic, has highlighted the importance of communication with infants when developing caring skills and the lack of understanding as to what constitutes good communication.
Neonatal nurses and parents from one Inner City Level 1 neonatal unit (the Royal Free Hospital NW3 site) will be eligible to participate. Nurses and parents will be asked to take part in one in-depth interview. Potential participants will receive information about the study and will be expected to provide signed consent. They will be asked questions about how they developed communication competence and skills in learning how to talk to the infants they care for, or their own infant. The study will last approximately 12 months.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
22/WA/0137
Date of REC Opinion
20 May 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion