Table 3 Counts of study participants identifying specific challenges and ideas to support transition to home from the neonatal intensive care unit of infants with medical complexity
Challenges to transition | Total (n = 21) | Complex chronic disease (n = 14) | Non-complex chronic disease (n = 7) |
|---|---|---|---|
Comparison to normal babies | 19 | 12 | 7 |
 Feeling babies are more fragile | 7 | 3 | 4 |
 Prone to illness | 12 | 9 | 3 |
 Feeling like their development is behind | 7 | 4 | 3 |
Concern for caregiver mental health | 9 | 6 | 3 |
 Anxiety | 6 | 4 | 2 |
 Depression | 9 | 6 | 3 |
Information Needs | 12 | 10 | 2 |
 Durable Medical Equipment/medications | 11 | 9 | 2 |
 Orientation to services/vendors | 7 | 5 | 2 |
 Orientation to specialists | 7 | 5 | 2 |
 Accessing Early Intervention Services | 12 | 10 | 2 |
Ideas to support transition | |||
Support systems | 9 | 8 | 1 |
 Peer support | 4 | 3 | 1 |
 Family support | 8 | 8 | 0 |
Including mobile health technology | 10 | 7 | 3 |
 Online Chat (telehealth) | 4 | 4 | 0 |
 Online forums | 2 | 2 | 0 |
 Videos/materials available on line | 4 | 2 | 2 |
 Communication via smartphone and texting | 10 | 7 | 3 |
Improved transition of care to primary care provider (pediatrician) | 11 | 6 | 5 |
More support for identifying financial assistance programs | 11 | 8 | 3 |