Experiences of families and health professionals along the care continuum for low-birth weight neonates: A constructivist grounded theory study

Abstract

Aims: To explore the experiences of health professionals and families concerning supporting low-birth weight (LBW) infants along the continuum of care (CoC) in Ghana with the goal to unveil new strategies to improve the quality of neonatal care.

Design: A constructivist grounded theory.

Method: Simultaneous data collection and analysis among health professionals alongside families with LBW infants from September 2020 to April 2021. The study used constructivist grounded theory strategies for data collection and analysis.

Results: The analysis of 25 interviews resulted in a theoretical model describing 10 themes along the CoC for LBW infants, categorized into health and family systems drivers. In this paper, we focus on the latter. Early bonding and family involvement were empowering. Mothers needed assistance in balancing hope and confidence which enabled them to render special care to their LBW infants. Providing mothers with financial and domestic support as well as creating awareness on newborn health in communities were important.

Conclusion: To achieve family involvement, a coordinated CoC must entail key players and be culturally inclusive. It must be applied at all levels in the CoC process in a non-linear faction. This can help LBW infants to thrive and to reach their full developmental potential.

Impact: The theoretical model developed shows the importance of family involvement through family systems care for a comprehensive response in addressing needs of health professionals and families with LBW infants and bridging the fragmentations in the neonatal CoC in Ghana. Context-tailored research on family systems care in the neonatal period is necessary to achieve a quality CoC for LBW infants and their families.

Patient or public contribution: Caregivers and providers participated by granting in-depth interviews. Care providers further contributed through their feedback on preliminary findings.

Keywords: continuum of care; family systems care or family-centred care; ghana; grounded theory; low birth weight; neonatal nursing; newborn health; nurses.