Parents as Partners in Care: Seven Guiding Principles to Ease the Collaboration

The family-centered care model is becoming a broadly accepted care concept for infants in the intensive care environment. The involvement of parents as equal partners to deliver optimal care for the baby is one key element of this concept. This article highlights seven aspects to be addressed when parents become an integral part of the care team. Healthcare professionals need to stand in the parents' shoes and to acknowledge the different coping strategies. Valuing the unique role of parents, the care team supports, educates, and guides the parents with respect and empathy, and according to the parents' individual, needs. Achieving a successful partnership often requires a change of attitude and thinking among the healthcare team. Recognizing the dynamic process and foreseeing access to training and guidance, as well as creating an open atmosphere can help to overcome challenges and achieve acceptance of the new coaching role from the whole team.