Volume 37, Issue 149 (September 2024)
IJN 2024, 37(149): 274-291 |
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Shamsi A, Ehteshami A, Zandi Esfahani H, Namnabati M. A Strategic Framework For Developing a Post-discharge Follow-up Program for Premature Infants in Iran. IJN 2024; 37 (149) :274-291
URL: http://ijn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-3826-en.html
URL: http://ijn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-3826-en.html
1- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Nursing Faculty, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. , noor13500@yahoo.com
2- Health Information Technology Research Center, Health Information Technology Faculty, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
3- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emam Hossein Hospital Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
4- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Nursing Faculty, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
2- Health Information Technology Research Center, Health Information Technology Faculty, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
3- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emam Hossein Hospital Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
4- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Nursing Faculty, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Abstract: (722 Views)
Background & Aims Background and Objective: Follow-up care for discharged preterm infants is crucial to improving neonatal health, but it has faced challenges in the healthcare system of Iran. This study aimed to develop a post-discharge follow-up program for preterm infants.
Materials & Methods This strategic study was conducted at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences from April 2022 to February 2024 in five main stages: (1) Interviews with 42 neonatal care experts (including neonatologists, nurses, and developmental care specialists) to assess the needs and problems in following-up of preterm infants after discharge, (2) Using the Delphi technique for the prioritization of problems identified in the previous stage using expert opinions, (3) Using the SWOT analysis to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the current post-discharge follow-up plans, (4) Using the root cause analysis (RCA) tree diagram for a deeper analysis of the components identified in the previous stages, and drafting the follow-up program, and (5) Validation of the program based on the opinions of a panel of experts.
Results Four main themes were identified: Mothers’ poor caregiving empowerment, ineffective post-discharge follow-up planning, lack of psychological support for mothers, and insufficient maternal education. Based on the Delphi technique, the first two themes had the highest priority. The SWOT analysis showed weaknesses in two categories: Mothers’ caregiving and the follow-up care providing system. Using the RCA tree diagram, the weaknesses in mothers’ caregiving had four main categories: Weakness in learning about breastfeeding, post-discharge complications, factors disrupting maternal education, and mothers’ physical and mental stress. Regarding the weakness in the follow-up care providing system, there were two categories of “insufficient access to post-discharge services for infants” and “frequent visits to medical centers”. Based on the opinions of an expert panel, the use of telemedicine for program implementation was recommended.
Conclusion The post-discharge follow-up program for preterm infants can be used by policymakers in the Iranian Ministry of Health to improve the follow-up care of infants after discharge.
Materials & Methods This strategic study was conducted at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences from April 2022 to February 2024 in five main stages: (1) Interviews with 42 neonatal care experts (including neonatologists, nurses, and developmental care specialists) to assess the needs and problems in following-up of preterm infants after discharge, (2) Using the Delphi technique for the prioritization of problems identified in the previous stage using expert opinions, (3) Using the SWOT analysis to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the current post-discharge follow-up plans, (4) Using the root cause analysis (RCA) tree diagram for a deeper analysis of the components identified in the previous stages, and drafting the follow-up program, and (5) Validation of the program based on the opinions of a panel of experts.
Results Four main themes were identified: Mothers’ poor caregiving empowerment, ineffective post-discharge follow-up planning, lack of psychological support for mothers, and insufficient maternal education. Based on the Delphi technique, the first two themes had the highest priority. The SWOT analysis showed weaknesses in two categories: Mothers’ caregiving and the follow-up care providing system. Using the RCA tree diagram, the weaknesses in mothers’ caregiving had four main categories: Weakness in learning about breastfeeding, post-discharge complications, factors disrupting maternal education, and mothers’ physical and mental stress. Regarding the weakness in the follow-up care providing system, there were two categories of “insufficient access to post-discharge services for infants” and “frequent visits to medical centers”. Based on the opinions of an expert panel, the use of telemedicine for program implementation was recommended.
Conclusion The post-discharge follow-up program for preterm infants can be used by policymakers in the Iranian Ministry of Health to improve the follow-up care of infants after discharge.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
nursing
Received: 2024/07/24 | Accepted: 2024/08/31 | Published: 2024/09/1
Received: 2024/07/24 | Accepted: 2024/08/31 | Published: 2024/09/1
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