The effect of family-centered care on the discharge preparation of mothers with premature infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Premature infants, due to their immature organ systems, require intensive medical monitoring and treatment and are generally cared for in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). During this process, the physical separation of mothers from their infants may adversely affect the psychological and emotional development of both parties. The Family-Centered Care (FCC) model is an approach that strengthens the mother-infant bond and supports the well-being of premature infants by ensuring the active involvement of parents in the care process. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of family-centered care on the discharge preparation of mothers with premature infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit. MATERIAL AND METODS: The study is designed as a cross-sectional and correlational type and was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Eskişehir City Hospital. A total of 133 mothers were included in the study. Data were collected using the "Mother and Infant Descriptive Information Form," the "Readiness for Discharge and Home Care Scale for Mothers of Premature Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit," and the "Neonatal Family-Centered Care Scale (NFCCS)." The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26, and the sample size was confirmed through power analysis. RESULTS: A positive correlation was found between the subdimensions of the Neonatal Family-Centered Care Scale—specifically information sharing and participation in care—and the subdimensions of the Readiness for Discharge and Home Care Scale for Mothers of Premature Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, namely general condition perception, hygienic care, and care practices. Additionally, a positive correlation was identified between the family collaboration subdimension and the general condition perception and care practices subdimensions of the Readiness for Discharge and Home Care Scale. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the dignity and respect subdimension and the hygienic care subdimension (p<0.05). Keywords: Premature infant, neonatal intensive care, family-centered care, discharge readiness, maternal involvement.