Understanding parenting occupations in neonatal intensive care: application of the Person-Environment-Occupation Model

The adoption of family-centred care principles within neonatal intensive care, including support for the development of the parental role, has been increasing in profile over the past decade. During this period, occupational therapy has also had an emerging role in the provision of services within neonatal intensive care. However, there has been limited exploration of the concept of parenting as an occupation as a means of supporting parental role development within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In accordance with the philosophy of family-centred care, opportunities exist to determine how the occupational efforts of parents and preterm infants can best be supported. This paper provides a review of the current literature and its application to the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) Model as a framework for illuminating the acquisition of parenting occupations in the NICU. Illustration is provided of how the application of the PEO Model can be used to direct occupational therapy practice to incorporate a focus on family-centred care and the development of an occupation-based approach through which practice can be enhanced, ensuring that both the infant's and the family's needs are recognised and addressed.