Date of Award

11-30-2021

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MScN)

First Advisor

Dr. Laila Ladak

Second Advisor

Dr. Shabina Ariff

Third Advisor

Ms. Shireen Rafim

Department

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Transition from hospital to home for a pre term baby is a complex phenomenon. The parents often require extensive discharge preparation in terms of knowledge and skills to ensure smooth transition with enhanced understanding about caring for their pre term baby at home. However, these parents face numerous challenges in order to provide care to their highly care dependent preterm babies. Nurses play a critical role in parental preparation through discharge teaching. However, limited studies have been carried out in low and middle income countries (LMIC), regarding the parental experiences following discharge of their preterm babies.
Study Purpose: The objective of this study was to explore the experiences and challenges faced by the parents of preterm babies, following the discharge from hospital. Levine’s Model served as a conceptual framework for this study. Methodology: The study utilized, a qualitative exploratory descriptive design to address the research question. With the help of purposive sampling technique, a total of 10 participants were recruited from a private tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. The data was collected through in-depth, semi structured interviews. Later, the findings were manually analyzed using the Creswell’s criteria for content analysis. Moreover, the rigor of the study was achieved through ensuring credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability.
Findings: The findings revealed five major themes: including (i) discharge teaching lend a hand, (ii) hospital versus home care, (iii) parental preparedness, (iv) coping strategies, and (v) recommendations. The study suggests that even though participants had received discharge teaching prior to discharge, they still encountered challenges while taking care of their preterm babies, at home. Those participants who received support from their spouse or other family members were able to cope with the situation well. Moreover, parents have also suggested strategies for the healthcare providers, so that parents of preterm babies could have better experiences, in future.
Conclusion: Discharge teaching is an important aspect for smooth transition from hospital to home for parents of preterm babies. Nurses play a critical role in parental preparation and empowering them through discharge teaching. Good support system and coping techniques of parents plays an important role in the process of smooth transition from hospital to home.

First Page

1

Last Page

102

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