Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Nursing, Poltekkes Kemenkes Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

2 Department of Nursing, Poltekkes Kemenkes Denpasar, Denpasar, Indonesia

3 Department of Midwifery, Poltekkes Kemenkes Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

4 International Medical School, Management and Science University, 40100, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

5 Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, Curtin University, Sarawak, Malaysia

10.22038/ijn.2024.80450.2557

Abstract

Background: The neonatal stage is critical due to the high risk of mortality. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is essential for preterm infants but can also increase the risk of developmental disorders. Various early intervention programs for preterm babies are being tested and combined into a developmental care model. This study aims to identify the components, content, and interventions of a developmental care model for preterm babies suitable for implementation in Indonesia.
Methods: A modified Delphi study with three survey rounds was conducted. In the first round, six experts, including practitioners and academics, were selected. Practitioners were NICU nurses with over 10 years of experience, speakers on developmental care, and those applying it in practice, with research and publications on neonates. Academics were pediatric lecturers, researchers on preterm infant care, and those with relevant training. In the second and third rounds, 30 panelists (nurses or midwives with over 5 years of NICU experience) participated.
Results: The first-round expert panel consisted of six experts (100% female) with 13-25 years of service: practitioners (66.7%) and academics (33.3%). For the second and third rounds, the panel included 30 experts (100% female): nurses (73.3%) and midwives (26.7%). Consensus was achieved in the third survey round with 75% cumulative agreement on interventions and training materials. The developmental care model comprised eight components with 126 interventions and 26 training materials.
Conclusion: The study identified components, content, interventions, and training metrics for developmental care in NICU nursing practice for preterm babies. Future research should observe neonatal nurses implementing the seven basic developmental care interventions.
 

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