Evaluating Parent Engagement, Attachment, Stress, and Satisfaction With Remote Rounding in the NICU

The admission of a newborn child to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is among the most distressing situations that parents can face. There are many sources of parental stress including loss of control and competing demands outside of the NICU involving work and other children. During a prolonged admission it is often difficult for families to be present at bedside rounds on a daily basis and thus more difficult to discuss and collaborate with families in the care of their child. Healthcare has been slower than many other fields to adapt to the availability of new technology. This study hypothesizes that the use of wireless technology to allow parents to remotely participate on rounds would improve parental stress and satisfaction, in addition to improving engagement and attachment to their infant.