Understanding barriers to family engagement in neonatal intensive care units
Inequities in family engagement in the neonatal intensive care unit
This study is looking at the difficulties that low-income families face when trying to connect with their premature babies in the NICU, like issues with transportation and language, to find ways to help them be more involved and improve their babies' health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11093465 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the challenges faced by marginalized families in engaging with their preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). It aims to identify structural barriers such as lack of access to paid family leave, childcare, and transportation, as well as language barriers that may hinder family involvement. Through interviews with low-income families and a multicenter survey, the study seeks to gather qualitative and quantitative data on these barriers and their impact on infant health outcomes. The findings will help develop strategies to improve family engagement and reduce disparities in NICU care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include families with preterm infants in NICUs, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds facing socioeconomic challenges.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have preterm infants or those who are not facing barriers to engagement in NICU care may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved support systems for families, enhancing their engagement in NICU care and ultimately improving health outcomes for preterm infants.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has highlighted the importance of family engagement in NICU settings, but this specific focus on structural barriers among marginalized families is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quinn, Mary — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Quinn, Mary
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.