Improving communication for parents of children with severe neurological impairment in the ICU

A Novel Photo-Narrative Communication Intervention Among Parents of Children with Severe Neurological Impairment in the ICU

NIH-funded research Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11096033

This study is creating a helpful tool for parents of kids with serious brain injuries to better share their thoughts and feelings with doctors in the ICU, making it easier for them to communicate during tough times.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSeattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11096033 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to develop a communication intervention that helps parents of children with severe neurological impairment (SNI) effectively share their perspectives, needs, and values with healthcare providers in the ICU. The project will first assess how parents perceive their relationship with clinicians and the impact of this on their stress levels during their child's ICU stay. Following this, a novel photo-elicitation communication tool will be refined based on feedback from both parents and clinicians. Finally, the intervention will be pilot tested to evaluate its effectiveness in enhancing communication and support for families during critical times.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are parents of children aged 0-11 years who are admitted to the ICU with severe neurological impairments.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have severe neurological impairments or are not admitted to the ICU may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce parental stress and improve the quality of care for children with severe neurological impairments in the ICU.

How similar studies have performed: Similar approaches in enhancing communication in critical care settings have shown promise, indicating potential for success in this novel intervention.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.