| Infant morbidity and mortality continues to be a significant problem in the U. S. Preterm birth and/or low birth weight and congenital anomalies are primary causes of infant morbidity and mortality. Analysis of an existing study was done on data from a prospective longitudinal, case based, mixed-methods research study to examine learning needs of parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) whose infants were born with complex cardiac anomalies or born extremely premature. The principles of Knowles' Theory of Adult Learning were used to frame the study and findings. Systematic review of the parent and provider interview transcripts from six cases and nurse-kept Interdisciplinary Patient and Family Education Records was conducted to determine parent education needs and provider given information during and after the infant's hospitalization. Findings revealed the theme of parents wanting to answer the question, 'What is going on with my baby's care?' while information given by providers was classified under the theme 'Whose Team are you on?' Resources utilized to find information by parents were explained by the theme, 'Help me Learn'. Contextual variables of parents were also noted to impact learning needs of parents depending on whether the infant was hospitalized or discharged from the hospital and were grouped into themes of 'Issues Before the Infant's Birth' and 'Adjustment to Everyday Life'. Providers need to be aware of the learning needs of parents, potential factors that may influence this learning, and to consider these needs when giving infant care. |
