Participatory action research in the field of neonatal intensive care: developing an intervention to meet the fathers’ needs. A case study

Autor: Jesper Fenger-Grøn, Poul-Erik Kofoed, Jette Ammentorp, Betty Noergaard, Helle Johannessen
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2016
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Public Health Research, Vol 5, Iss 3 (2016)
Journal of Public Health Research
Nørgaard, B, Johannessen, H, Fenger-Grøn, J, Kofoed, P-E & Ammentorp, J 2016, ' Participatory Action Research in the Field of Neonatal Intensive Care : Developing an Intervention to Meet the Fathers' Needs. A Case Study ', Journal of Public Health Research, vol. 5, no. 3, 744, pp. 122-129 . https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2016.744
ISSN: 2279-9036
2279-9028
DOI: 10.4081/jphr.2016.744
Popis: Background In neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) health care professionals typically give most of their attention to the infants and the mothers while many fathers feel uncertain and have an unmet need for support and guidance. This paper describes and discusses participatory action research (PAR) as a method to improve NICUs’ service for fathers. Our goal is to develop a father-friendly NICU where both the needs of fathers and mothers are met using an approach based on PAR that involves fathers, mothers, interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, and managers. Design and methods This PAR process was carried out from August 2011 to July 2013 and included participant observations, semi-structured interviews, multi sequential interviews, workshops, focus groups, group discussion, and a seminar. The theoretical framework of validity described by Herr and Anderson’s three criteria; process-, democratic-, and catalytic validity were used to discuss this PAR. Results Twelve fathers, 11 mothers, 48 health professionals and managers participated in the PAR process. The collaboration ensured the engagement for viable and constructive local changes to be used in designing the concept of the father friendly NICU. Conclusions This paper contributed new knowledge of how PAR can be used to ensure that participants engaged in the field are involved in the entire process; consequently, this will ensure that the changes are feasible and sustainable. Significance for public health This case study contributed insight into the role and importance of participatory action research (PAR) in clinical practice. By engaging the stakeholders in the process, the culture of the neonatal intensive care unit became open to reflection and action. It was very important to understand the purpose and context of the activities and to use them accordingly to the participants. By using the right activities in the right context, we gained an opportunity to promote participants’ creativity. This required the researchers to be flexible and to be aware of PAR as a time-consuming approach.
Databáze: OpenAIRE