No question too small: development of a question prompt list for parents of critically ill infants

Objective To develop a question prompt list tailored to the needs of parents of critically ill infants at risk of neurodevelopmental impairment. Study design Question content was derived from audio-recorded neonatal intensive care unit family meetings and interviews with parents of infants treated with therapeutic hypothermia. Question content was refined using clinician focus groups. Acceptability testing was performed with parents and clinicians caring for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Results All clinicians and parents found the QPL content acceptable. Parents universally endorsed that the question prompt list was useful to them and would help them prepare for a meeting with their infant's healthcare team. Conclusion This question prompt list, designed for parents of critically ill infants, is acceptable to parents and clinicians, and can be used in the acute neonatal course to facilitate parent engagement in family meetings.