Video technology has positive outcomes for parents

An article published by BMC Pediatrics(1) reveals that the use of video technology in neonatal care is a much-needed advance in care delivery.

The findings presented in the paper follow an in-depth evaluation of the application of webcam technology in UK health care. Interest in this type of technology has grown in popularity in recent years because separation of parents from their baby is highlighted as a source of anxiety.

Of the participating group of 33 parents and 18 professionals, most were in favour of using video technology due to the benefits it affords to parents, including enhanced feelings of closeness and responsiveness.

However, the study found that while the principal view of parents towards video technology is positive, for some parents having access to a live video feed of their baby heightened anxiety rather than providing reassurance. One mother explained that when the nurses turned the camera off she became concerned because she didn’t know whether there was something to be worried about.

Video technology provider vCreate has also found that the neonatal consultants and nurses it works with are not comfortable with the thought of a live video feed. Its on-demand video software enables healthcare providers to record footage of special moments for parents to access at any time on any device, avoiding the potential anxiety related to live video feeds.

1. Kerr S. et al. Transition to parenthood in the neonatal care unit: a qualitative study and conceptual model designed to illuminate parent and professional views of the impact of webcam technology. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5504802.