A meta-ethnographic synthesis of fathers’ experiences of the neonatal intensive care unit environment during hospitalization of their premature infants

Objective: To undertake a synthesis of existing qualitative findings about fathers’ experiences of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) environment. Data Sources: Relevant key terms including preterm, father, and NICU were used to search the databases of CINAHL Plus, Academic Search Premier, MEDLINE and PsychInfo. Study Selection: Only primary qualitative studies were included. Papers were excluded which did not focus on the NICU environment. Data Extraction: Twenty-four studies were included. All authors critically appraised and extracted data relating to fathers’ experiences in the NICU using an agreed data extraction form. Data Synthesis: Primarily guided by Noblit and Hare (1988), the study findings were synthesized by translating the initial concepts and findings from an identified key paper into the data from the remaining 23 studies. Initially this was done separately by each author followed by further group discussion and synthesis. Emergent themes were proximity, parental autonomy, vulnerability, communication and exclusion and isolation. Conclusions: The needs of fathers to interact and be involved with their infants care is a prominent factor enhancing their experiences in the NICU. Staff in the NICU can play a key role in facilitating this interaction through encouragement and reassurance