Child Developmental Health, Maternal Psychosocial Distress, and Health System Costs At 18 Months Corrected Age: Effectiveness of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of Family Integrated Care in Level II NICUs

Detailed Summary

In Alberta, one in every twelve babies is born preterm. Compared with their full term counterparts, preterm infants who survive are at higher risk for respiratory problems, jaundice, infections, feeding problems, behavioural problems, and neuro-developmental disabilities, including cognitive delays, and visual and hearing impairments. As a result, parents must leave their preterm babies in the hospital to fully develop enough to care for them at home. When it is time for discharge, parents are often unprepared to look after their baby because they may have limited involvement in the care of their baby in hospital. In addition to the distress and costs to parents of having a baby in hospital, health system costs are also increased the longer a baby is in hospital. The aim of this novel health services study is to assess the longer-term outcomes and costs, to 18 months corrected age, of Family Integrated Care (FICare) for moderate and late preterm infants admitted to a Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) of FICare is currently in progress. FICare is a psycho-educational intervention that empowers parents (mothers and fathers) to sequentially build their knowledge, skill, and confidence so the family is well-prepared to care for their preterm infant before discharge. The FICare cRCT evaluates outcomes related to infant global development and maternal psychosocial distress at 2 months. At 2 months, it is difficult to predict longer term outcomes for moderate and late preterm infants. A follow-up study at 18 months will provide evidence of the sustainability of any effects, and longer-term cost savings upon which to inform policy decisions about full-scale implementation of FICare in Level II NICUs.

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