Integrating developmentally supportive caregiving into practice through education.

Abstract

Implementation of developmental caregiving is occurring in intensive care nurseries across the country. Sound theories of adult learning, program planning, and change principles must be utilized to guide this process and to provide a framework for program design. If leaders and change agents are aware of these concepts and use them to make the process easier, integration should be less painful and the concepts promptly instituted into routine practices. Neonatal Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program research has demonstrated positive outcomes. This research has provided us with a vision to guide our practice, but change theory and education of staff also need to be addressed in this process.