Stress and burnout influence NICU healthcare professionals’ decision-making on family-centered care delivery: An international survey

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) environment is complex with competing demands. Health care professionals (HCP) caring behaviors and sensitivity to emotional, role and practical demands of infants and families contribute to family satisfaction and improves infant health outcomes. This research examined NICU HCP's beliefs about providing family-centered care (FCC) and factors that influence decision-making to implement FCC. The sample included 263 multidisciplinary HCP working in NICUs around the world. Participants reported low/moderate levels of family caring beliefs (M = 83.81, SD = 6.49), high levels of perceived stress (M = 27.81, SD = 3.21), and moderate levels of burnout (M = 32.62, SD = 2.71). A significant negative correlation ( r = −0.489, p < .001) exists between participant perceived stress and caring beliefs. A significant correlation ( r = 0.473, p < .001) exists between participant perceived stress and level of burnout. Results suggest stress and burnout are critical factors foundational to HCPs' caring beliefs and FCC delivery.