Family Integrated Care for Preterm Infants

Findings from Family Integrated Care for Preterm Infants are described by the author and PTBi researcher, Linda Franck. Additional authors include Chandra Waddington and Karel O'Brien.


Please describe your article.

This paper describes how the Family Integrated Care (FICare) model was developed, and the evidence for its benefit in the care of preterm and ill infants receiving neonatal intensive care. Family Integrated Care (FICare) is a model of care for NICUs that promotes parental empowerment, learning, shared decision making, and positive parent-infant caregiving experiences. It addresses the hospital and NICU-level structures, processes, and parent support needs.

What is important about the article?

The paper provides a detailed review of FICare, with practical guidance for NICU teams and parent advocates interested in assessing their readiness and beginning FICare implementation.

What should researchers/providers/patients/public health workers/etc. take away after reading the article?

FICare positively transforms the NICU culture and partnership with families so that babies and families can thrive. FICare is being adopted in NICUs around the world and we are continuing to learn more about its benefits for infants and families, but more needs to be learned. FICare depends on strong nursing expertise and leadership for successful implementation and a commitment to partnering with families to co-design solutions. The FICare model may benefit patients and families in other healthcare settings.


Learn more about mFICare

To meet the needs of US parents, we are thrilled to have partnered with clinicians and parents to adapt the FICare model with innovative alterations, most notably the We3healthTM app. Learn More

mFICare