Psychological Support

[ian woodroffe]

I work providing psychological support for parents on a level 3 Unit.
I am interested in working with parents on the multiple grief that being on a Unit presents. I would be interested to hear of any co-ordinated pragrammes that are attending to these issues in any way.
Best wishes
Ian Woodroffe Psychological support
Addenbrookes Hospital Cambridge University Foundation Trust
Cambridge UK

[spacey]

Hi......
I am working on my masters in counseling. I have a degreen in psychology as well as my RN and I work in a level 3 NICU. I am interested in starting a psychological support program and would also love to hear what kinds of programs are being used. Currently our NICU has next to nothing for this type of support........but it is clearly needed and could probably be especially helpful with some of the "high maintenance" or very needy type families. Please share your info!
thanks.....
spacey

[spacey]

Hi.........to the original poster, and any others working in similar fields, could you please describe your specific job responsibilities and some of the successful ways you have implemented support for the nicu families. I am also interested in any staff support / counseling for which you are responsible.
Thank you for you reply.....
"Spacey"

[Agnieszka Domanska]

In our level 3 NICU we have attending psychologist that helps our parents to deal with the problems connected with preterm delivery, congenital malformations of their newborn baby or death of the child. She is very helpful also for us - I mean doctors, nurses and other staff. I think it is very important to have such emotional support in our job, when we face so often someone's suffering. Every year we organise a kind of party for our patients some time after discharge. There are actors and musicians invited who play with children and give them toys and candies. Parents share experience in taking care of their children. When we see our preemies growing up we realise that our hard work and sleepless nights were really worth it.

[ian woodroffe]

Great to have some responses to this subject and thanks to the forum team for opening up the subject.
My work here in Cambridge is trying to pioneer support for parents. There is not much done in the Uk and even less written as research. It seems to me that all parents coming onto a NIC will be struggling with multiple losses that will cause them psychological pain and may even interupt their bonding with their baby. We do have posts in the Uk that look at post-death bereavement support but not before any death. I find it amazing that so little is done in this important area.
Good to hear of the initiatives in Poland and it would be good to see if that work has been written up.
I am happy to respond to individuals in more detail
Best wishes
Ian Woodroffe