Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare > Volume 15, Number 6 > Pp. 275-280

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RESEARCH Original articles

Experience with videoconferencing between a neonatal unit and the families' home from the perspective of certified paediatric nurses

Birgitta Lindberg , Karin Axelsson and Kerstin Öhrling

Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden

Correspondence: Birgitta Lindberg, Division of Nursing, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden (Fax: +46 920 493 850; Email: birgitta.lindberg{at}ltu.se)

Parents of preterm-born infants need support after returning to their homes with their baby. We studied the experience of certified paediatric nurses (CPNs) with the use of videoconferencing between the neonatal intensive care unit and the families' home. Families were given a home videoconferencing unit, which allowed them to contact staff at the neonatal unit, day and night. Over a period of 12 months, ten families used the videoconferencing equipment. Families made a median of 4 telemedicine calls each (range 2–30). Narrative interviews were performed with 10 CPNs after the study ended. Qualitative thematic content analysis was applied to the interview data and one theme was identified: smoothing the transition of infants from the neonatal unit to the families' home. The CPNs found that videoconferencing helped them to assess the overall situation at home and facilitated the relationship between parents and the infant. The CPNs felt that they were able to provide security to the family. The use of videoconferencing was considered as a generally positive experience and as a tool to improve nursing care at home.

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