Abstract
M.Cur.
The parents of premature babies experience tremendous anxiety and uncertainty when
the day of discharge eventually dawns. These feelings are often attributed to insufficient
knowledge and skills with regard to care of the baby. Parents therefore, need
clear guidelines, instructions and help from the neonatal nurse.
The aim of this study is to identify and prioritize the specific discharge learning needs
of parents with premature babies by means of the card sorting technique as assessment
method. The aim of this study is executed in two phases.
In phase one, the specific learning needs of parents are identified, explored and
described according to a literature study.
In phase two, the specific learning needs of parents with premature babies in private
hospitals are identified and prioritized by means of the card sorting technique as assessment
method, in order to make recommendations for appropriate discharge education.
The most important learning needs identified in this study refer to cardiopulmonary
resuscitation, long term health problems of the baby, signs and symptoms of infection,
and feeding. The assessment of the specific learning needs of parents with premature babies in die
neonatal unit, during the discharge period, should enable the nurse to perform the
necessary knowledge transfer of information and thus ensure appropriate parent
preparation. Knowledge of skills is essential to enable parents to care for their babies
at home with confidence. In so doing, anxiety is diminished and a content parenthood
is ensured.