A conceptual framework to integrate parents' cultural determinants in the care of preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.

AIM: To present a conceptual framework for healthcare professionals and stakeholders to ensure culturally sensitive preterm infant care in the neonatal intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND

Integrating cultural determinants in preterm infant care in the neonatal intensive care unit is crucial to help yield positive health outcomes. Culturally sensitive care addresses the unique needs of families from diverse backgrounds; however, its implementation is lacking.

METHODS

Employing data from descriptive qualitative study and integrative literature review, five-step developmental process was used to construct a conceptual framework: (1) Gathering evidence through an integrative literature review; (2) Conducting a qualitative study; (3) Merging findings from an integrative literature review and a qualitative study; (4) Conceptual framework development; and (5) Visualisation of the developed conceptual framework.

RESULTS

The study merged the integrated literature review and qualitative findings to assemble a comprehensive list of cultural determinants, categorising them into four groups: parental, family, environmental, and healthcare service factors. These groups served as building blocks for the conceptual framework development using six key components of the Practical Orientation Theory: context, agents, dynamics, procedures, recipients, and terminus.

CONCLUSION

The developed conceptual framework will guide healthcare professionals and stakeholders in integrating cultural determinants of parents in preterm infant care. Based on the findings, recommendations were made regarding practical strategies for implementing culturally sensitive care.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Applying a conceptual framework in the neonatal intensive care unit can inform culturally sensitive care for preterm infants and their families. This framework has the potential to yield several benefits, including the improvement of therapeutic relationships between healthcare professionals and families. Additionally, culturally sensitive care may foster increased parental involvement, facilitating family-led interventions in healthcare practices. Ultimately, these positive shifts in care dynamics have the potential to contribute to improved health outcomes for preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.