The first PQNC Family Focus Group Meeting took place last week. It was a gathering of NICU and perinatal family support specialists, as well as family members with perinatal experiences which have led them to seek opportunities to actively improve perinatal care in the state. The meeting was held in Greensboro at the Koury Center and about 30 attendees were present. It began at 10:00 AM and ended at 4:00 PM, though it easily could have gone on hours longer. It was eye opening to hear the wisdom, ideas, and comments of all these folks as they discussed the participation of families and family support specialists in PQCNC. A range of issues from family participation in daily NICU function, to participation in NICU leadership boards (not just family advisory boards) through active education of families to develop methods for them to participate directly in quality projects was discussed.
There was agreement from all present that they wanted to participate at all levels of the PQCNC organization and many reported they would return to their units and discuss the days' events with providers in their units. We are planning a follow up meeting with a more focused agenda, based on deliverables from this initial meeting. It is simply stunning how little we as providers, even those who have been on the maternal cot or radiant warmer, know about what families are thinking. Look forward to our next gathering!
