Betty Noergaard
Department of Paediatrics, Lillebaelt Hospital; Institute of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark. Helle Johannessen
Research Unit of User Perspectives, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark. Jesper Fenger-Gron
Department of Paediatrics, Lillebaelt Hospital, Denmark. Poul-Erik Kofoed
Department of Paediatrics, Lillebaelt Hospital; Institute of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark. Jette Ammentorp
Institute of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark; Health Services Research Unit, Lillebaelt Hospital, Denmark.

ABSTRACT

Background: In neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) health care professionals typically give most of their attention to the infants and the mothers while many fathers feel uncertain and have an unmet need for support and guidance. This paper describes and discusses participatory action research (PAR) as a method to improve NICUs’ service for fathers. Our goal is to develop a father-friendly NICU where both the needs of fathers and mothers are met using an approach based on PAR that involves fathers, mothers, interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, and managers.
Design and methods: This PAR process was carried out from August 2011 to July 2013 and included participant observations, semi-structured interviews, multi sequential interviews, workshops, focus groups, group discussion, and a seminar. The theoretical framework of validity described by Herr and Anderson’s three criteria; process-, democratic-, and catalytic validity were used to discuss this PAR.
Results: Twelve fathers, 11 mothers, 48 health professionals and managers participated in the PAR process. The collaboration ensured the engagement for viable and constructive local changes to be used in designing the concept of the father friendly NICU.
Conclusions: This paper contributed new knowledge of how PAR can be used to ensure that participants engaged in the field are involved in the entire process; consequently, this will ensure that the changes are feasible and sustainable.

Jens Edrich is a medical doctor and dedicated journalist who has published different articles and essays exposing the falseness and hollowness of online resources in the medical science sector.