Nursing Open · Published 2026-07-01 · DOI 10.1002/nop2.70665
Fang Wang, XiaoMei Yang, HongQing Guo, WenYin Yao, ZhiHong Ni
ABSTRACT Aim To explore the care experiences and needs of parents with children in the neonatal intensive care during hospitalisation, discharge transition, and home care. Design A systematic review and meta‐synthesis. Methods Eight databases were searched in July 2024 for relevant publications. All qualitative and mixed‐methods studies in English and Chinese that explored the three‐stage care experiences and needs of parents with children in the neonatal intensive care unit were included. A qualitative meta‐synthesis was performed. Two independent reviewers selected the studies and assessed quality. Results A total of 16 articles were included. Three themes were extracted and integrated: care experience was affected by multiple factors, care needs revealed dynamic and longitudinal changes, and measures were actively taken to obtain long‐term growth. 15 sub‐themes were further identified. Conclusions Parents of children in neonatal intensive care encounter various degrees of experience and requirements during hospitalisation, discharge transition, and home care. Parents face high emotional demands during the hospitalisation period; discharge transition requires high skill from parents, while home care is a period of mixed emotional and skill demands. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public contribution.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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Wang, F., Yang, X., Guo, H., et al. (2026). Three‐Stage Care Experiences and Needs of Parents With Children in NICU : A Qualitative Meta‐Synthesis. Nursing Open. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.70665