649 - Preterm Mother and NICU Staff Perspectives on the Reach Out and Read NICU Core Components and Practical Suggestions to Improve Implementation

Publication Number: 4635.649

Genevieve Guyol, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States; Catherine G. Caruso, Doernbecher Children's Hospital at Oregon Health & Science University, PORTLAND, OR, United States; Mayra Rojas Correa, University of Massachusetts Medical School, North Grafton, MA, United States; Peyton Rieger, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Laura Crook, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States; Lauren Nacke, Washington University in St. Louis School of Public Health, St. Louis, MO, United States; Mackenzie Cunningham, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States; Nicole Geller, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States; Astrid Veloz-Maury, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States; Jessica Barrus, Boston University School of Medicine, Brighton, MA, United States; Alan L. Mendelsohn, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States; Bryanne N. Colvin, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States; Rachel Moon, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States; Eve Colson, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, United States; Sunah S. Hwang, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, United States; Margaret Parker, UMass Chan School of Medicine, Worcester, MA, United States

Background: The Reach Out and Read (ROR) NICU Core Components were developed to guide adaptation of the well-established ROR primary care program to the NICU setting. The Core Components are 1) Create a literacy-rich environment, 2) Provide shared reading anticipatory guidance, 3) Model shared reading, 4) Train staff, 5) Distribute books regularly. ROR has been implemented in several NICUs but preterm mother and NICU staff perceptions of the Core Components and their practical application in the NICU have not been studied.

Objective: We explored preterm mother and NICU staff perceptions of the ROR NICU Core Components and solicited suggestions for practical implementation in the NICU.

Design/Methods: We conducted 30-60 minute semi-structured interviews with English-speaking mothers of preterm infants and NICU staff. We purposefully sampled mothers of preterm NICU graduates 2-5 months after discharge from 4 NICUs and staff from 9 NICUs across the US. We used a rapid qualitative approach to elicit preterm mother and NICU staff perspectives on the ROR NICU Core Components. Our semi-structured interview guide asked directly about each of the Core Components. Interviews were conducted via a HIPAA-compliant video platform and transcripts were analyzed to extract key themes related to perspectives on the ROR NICU Core Components. We obtained IRB approval.

Results: We interviewed 19 mothers of preterm children born 31-36 weeks' gestation and 24 NICU staff members who represented multidisciplinary roles (Table 1). Mothers and NICU staff generally reported positive attitudes towards the ROR NICU Core Components. Mothers desired education about shared reading that affirms their experiences. NICU staff expressed concerns about reading with infants who are clinically unstable and making time for reading (Table 2). Practical strategies for implementation of the ROR NICU Core Components included using technology such as voice recorders, pairing reading with other activities to address time limitations, and tailoring reading to different families and infants (Table 3).

Conclusion(s): Preterm mothers and NICU staff provided valuable insights that can guide refinement of the NICU ROR Core Components and identified new strategies to support implementation. These findings will inform a multisite NICU quality improvement program focused on improving rates of shared reading in the NICU and after discharge home.

Table 1: Participant Demographics


Table 2: Preterm Mother and NICU Staff Perspectives on Reach Out and Read NICU Core Components


Table 3: Practical Suggestions from Preterm Mothers and NICU Staff for Implementation of the Reach Out and Read NICU Core Components