The Challenges of Implementing Family-Centered Care in NICU from the Perspectives of Physicians and Nurses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate physicians' and nurses' perspectives on the challenges of implementing the FCC in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Design and method: The study employed a qualitative design to conduct five focus groups with 25 nurses and 15 physicians (n = 40). All of the nurse participants identified as female; 73% held a bachelor's degree in nursing and 59% had been working as a neonatal nurse for >10 years. Of the physicians, 55% identified as male, 43% held positions as neonatologists and 39% had a minimum of 3 years of experience in neonatal intensive care.

Results: Three themes, power imbalance, psychosocial issues, and structural limitation, and related sub-themes were constructed using thematic analyses.

Conclusion: The implementation of family-centered care in the neonatal intensive care unit in Iran is shaped by the health care provider, cultural, legal and operational challenges. To optimize effective and sustained implementation, these influential factors must be addressed.

Implications: Organizational, managerial and operational changes are required for FCC implementation. Nurses and physicians are well-positioned as leaders and facilitators of family-centered care implementation within the neonatal intensive care unit.