| The need for partnerships between parents of premature infants and the medical professionals involved in their care is not a new phenomenon. Yet, research indicates numerous difficulties in parent-medical professional relationships. This study examined the similarities and differences in the perceptions and experiences of mothers and medical professionals in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).;The PARTNERS Questionnaire was developed after a review of the literature in the fields of early intervention (EI) and medicine. The areas of caregiving, information exchange, and relationships were identified as necessary for successful parent-medical professional partnerships. A list of practice indicators were compiled and translated into questionnaire items. A mixed method approach was used to collect quantitative ratings of the importance and implementation of the practice indicators in the above areas and qualitative data from responses to open-ended statements.;Results indicated that mothers consistently rated relationship practice indicators higher, neonatologists rated information exchange practice indicators higher, and nurses rated caregiving practice indicators higher compared to the other two groups. Ratings of five items were statistically significant. Qualitative data indicated the need to prepare mothers to care for their infants after discharge from the NICU, to provide timely, straightforward information, and to offer individualized care and support to mothers during their infants' stay in the NICU.;This study provides a number of implications for research and practice. Studies with larger, more diverse samples are necessary. Continued use of a mixed method research approach is warranted to gain greater breadth and depth into the experiences of mothers, neonatologists, and nurses in the NICU. Further, preservice and inservice training for EI and medical practitioners must include relationship-based content and related hands-on activities to increase awareness and understanding of the affective component of the NICU experience.;The findings of this study are a step toward better understanding how medical professionals in the NICU can match their practices to what mothers want and need during this overwhelming time in their lives. |
