Nurse Navigator Program in maternity clinics as a quality component of family support services

Abstract

Aim: Exploration of counseling contents and the role of nurse navigators (NN) in maternity clinics to support parents (and parents-to-be). Design: A retrospective descriptive study. Methods: A content analysis along with the development of initial categories of selected characteristics was conducted based on the written documentation of NN conversations from the pilot phase, covering the period from January 2021 to December 2023 (36 months). Results: A total of n = 757 conversations with pregnant women and parents (and parents-to-be) were documented, and n = 707 were included. Consultations occurred in person (65.6%), by phone (27.4%), or both (6.9%). A total of 82.9% of parents and (parents-to-be) reported stressors, which were addressed individually. Key focus areas included health-related topics, referrals for postpartum midwives, contact with authorities and health insurance providers, and ensuring pediatric follow-up care. Conclusion: Introducing an Nurse Navigator Program (NNP) in hospitals creates opportunities but also challenges that require dialogue. Clear role delineation and collaboration with breast-care nursing and midwifery services are crucial for effective maternity care cooperation.