Parents using live streaming video cameras to view infants in a regional NICU: impacts upon bonding, anxiety and stress

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU

Kilcullen, Meegan Lesley;Kandasamy, Yogavijayan;Evans, Michelle;Kanagasignam, Yogesan;Atkinson, Ian;van der Valk, Steven;Vignarajan, Janardhan;Baxter, Michelle

Meegan Kilcullen Yoga Kandasamy Ian Atkinson

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.

Journal

Journal of Neonatal Nursing

Publication Name

Journal of Neonatal Nursing

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ISBN/ISSN

1878-089X

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Publisher

Elsevier

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DOI

10.1016/j.jnn.2021.03.013