Immigrant and minority parents' experiences in a neonatal intensive care unit: A meta‐ethnography review

Abstract

AbstractAimsTo examine immigrant and minority parents' experiences of having a newborn infant in the neonatal intensive care unit and explore healthcare professionals' experiences in delivering care to immigrant and minority families.DesignA meta‐ethnographic review informed by eMERGe guidelines.MethodsWe conducted a systematic literature review. Studies were included if they explored immigrant or minority parent experiences in neonatal intensive care units and health professional experiences delivering care to immigrant and minority families in neonatal intensive care. Reporting followed ENTREQ guidelines.Data SourcesDatabase searches included CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus and Google Scholar. Boolean search strategies were used to identify qualitative studies. No limitations on commencement date; the end date was 23rd August 2022. PRISMA guidelines used for screening and article quality assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute criteria for qualitative studies.ResultsInitial search yielded 2468 articles, and nine articles met criteria for inclusion. Three overarching themes were identified: (1) Overwhelming Emotions, (subthemes: Overwhelming Inadequacy; Cultural Expressions of Guilt; Not Belonging), (2) Circles of Support, (subthemes: Individual Level‐Spirituality; External Level‐Connecting with Family; Structured Peer‐to‐Peer Support), (3) Negotiating Relationships with Healthcare Professionals (subthemes: Connecting; Disconnected; Linguistic Barriers). Interactions between healthcare professionals and immigrant and minority parents were the strongest recurring theme.ConclusionsThere can be a mismatch between immigrant and minority families' needs and the service support provided, indicating improvements in neonatal intensive care are needed. Despite challenges, parents bring cultural and family strengths that support them through this time, and many neonatal intensive care staff provide culturally respectful care.Implications for the Profession and/or Patient CareProfessionals should be encouraged to identify and work with family strengths to ensure parents feel supported in the neonatal intensive care unit. Findings can inform policy and practice development to strengthen health professionals capabilities to support immigrant and minority families in neonatal units.Reporting MethodThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses checklists were used to report the screening process.