Supporting Families of Preterm Infants: The Impact of Ehealth on Parental Well-Being and Care Transition

The post-Covid-19 period has accelerated an already ongoing process that aims to redefine healthcare through methodological and technological advances. The e-ParWelB project responds to this need as it aims to develop an interdisciplinary socio-psychological model by integrating eHealth tools, social research, and psychological support addressed to preterm parents. Preterm birth impacts not only the clinical condition of the infant but also the well-being and functioning of families. The primary objective of our project is to monitor and support parents' mental health during the critical period of their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and transition to home. To achieve this, we provide families with digital health tools, including a dedicated web app, designed to assess their psychological well-being and foster a supportive network among parents, helping them stay connected and resilient during this challenging time. This web app serves as a highly effective methodological tool for two key reasons. First, it simplifies participant enrollment in a longitudinal study. Once parents register on the app, data collection proceeds through a smooth and non-invasive process. Second, the app provides crucial support to parents by offering a direct and confidential messaging channel with a mental health professional. Additionally, the platform fosters a support network among parents, allowing them to connect and share experiences with other parents through a specific forum in the web app. This system of data gathering yields satisfactory results and is able to support our participants in their difficult transition home from the NICU. The web app allows to keep in check parents' emotional state and promptly individuate signals of distress and to intervene with a personalized support plan. Digital tools allow parents to access resources from home or anywhere else, making support easily accessible and reducing the feeling of isolation.