PIE in PICU and NICU: Developing Psychologically Informed Environments

Abstract

This paper sets out how the Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) model, which originated in the homelessness sector, can be applied to the complex medical environments of Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care (P/NICU). Whilst there are key differences between NICUs and PICUs, there exist so many commonalities, most notably the similarity of parent and staff experiences and the coexisting medical, psychological and developmental needs of babies and children. PIE provides a whole systems approach to improving psychological wellbeing in all those in the environment: babies, children, parents, families and staff. The paper explores how PIE methodology could be applied to P/NICUs; offering examples grounded in practice; and describing how PIE can meet the fundamental needs of babies and children, parents and staff and has the potential to prevent the challenging environment having a negative impact on those who are exposed to it.