Factors affecting parental satisfaction in the neonatal intensive care unit

PurposeTo evaluate possible parental satisfaction indicators, concerning the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which are related to sociodemographic variables.DesignNon-experimental design using a validated parental satisfaction questionnaire. The sample consisted of 550 parents (297 mothers, 253 fathers) whose infants were hospitalized in two Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) in Greece. The parents completed the questionnaire on the day of discharge.ResultsYounger Greek women, with basic education level, who live in rural areas and whose infant's length of stay was short, expressed higher levels of satisfaction.ConclusionThe parents' sex and the duration of the infant's hospitalization are the most significant factors affecting parental satisfaction. Background factors should be considered when evaluating parental satisfaction.