Parents using live streaming video cameras to view infants in a regional NICU: Impacts upon bonding, anxiety and stress. Issue 1 (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kilcullen, Meegan Lesley; Kandasamy, Yogavijayan; Evans, Michelle; Kanagasignam, Yogesan; Atkinson, Ian; van der Valk, Steven; Vignarajan, Janardhan; Baxter, Michelle
• Is Part Of: Journal of neonatal nursing. Volume 28:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 50
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: Camera -- Neonatal -- Bonding -- Anxiety -- Stress -- Video -- NICU; Newborn infants -- Care -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neonatal intensive care -- Periodicals; Soins infirmiers en néonatologie -- Périodiques; Infant, Newborn, Diseases -- Periodicals; Intensive Care, Neonatal -- Periodicals; Neonatal Nursing -- Periodicals; 618.9200231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnn.2021.03.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-1841

Abstract

Abstract: Background: While live streaming from the NICU has entered standard care in some tertiary hospitals, few studies have been explored the impact of this technology upon parents. Aim: To understand the impact of live-streaming vision of infants in NICU to their parents. Method: In the present study, cameras were installed and parents live-streamed vision of their infants while admitted to a regional NICU. Camera usage data were recorded, and parent-infant bonding, parental stress and anxiety data were collected via online survey across four time points. Results: While parents preferred to be with their infant in person, there was strong acceptance of the technology. There were no significant differences in camera usage across the admission and at 3-month follow-up. The relationships between camera usage and bonding, stress, and anxiety scores varied across time points and no significant changes in anxiety, stress and bonding scores were identified. Conclusion: Implementation of this technology into standard care requires streaming stability and support for staff and parents to effectively use the technology.