Principles of family integrated care in the neonatal unit

Admission to the neonatal unit has significant psychosocial implications for parents. There are several family-focused interventions that health professionals can deliver that help reduce the stress experienced by parents in the neonatal unit (Fowler et al, 2019; Petty et al, 2019; Hirtz et al, 2023). Vital components of family integrated care (FICare) relating to emotional and psychosocial care of the family are detailed in Figures 12.1 to 12.3 and Table 12.1. Figures 12.4 and 12.5 focus on partnership and empowerment and recognising diversity for inclusive practice, respectively. The chapter continues with an inclusion of ethical decision-making and end-of-life care in Tables 12.2 and 12.3 and Figure 12.6. These are all interconnecting aspects of care that are fundamental to the optimum psycho-emotional support of the family in the neonatal unit.