Background:

Using the child- and family-centered care (CFCC) model provides neonatal units with considerable benefits, such as decreasing parents’ suffering through their participation and autonomy, increasing breastfeeding rates, and decreasing sequelae of prematurity in infants.

Objective:

To understand nursing technicians’ perceptions of CFCC delivery in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methodology:

A qualitative research study was conducted at a NICU of a teaching hospital located in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil, using open and semi-structured interviews with six nursing technicians. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, based on the principles of CFCC.

Results:

The study identified the six themes Integrating families into the care process; Promoting the family unit’s closeness; Welcoming the family unit; Sharing information with the families; Recognizing the NICU as a stressful environment for families; and Limitations of delivering CFCC at the NICU.

Conclusion:

The results show that nursing professionals have a limited understanding of CFCC and that it is crucial to include this topic in the education of future professionals and continuous training activities.

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