Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Global Survey on Newborns' HOspitalisation and Parental Experiences - the HOPE Study

The HOPE Study is a global online survey for parents whose babies were born early, had a low birth weight, or were seriously ill and needed special hospital care shortly after birth. The main goal is to understand parents' experiences and how they cope emotionally during this challenging time. It also looks at how hospitals support families and whether certain care principles are in place. The findings will help improve care for newborns and their families worldwide. It's not a treatment study; it's a way for parents to share their stories.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

Global Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants

Enrolment target

100

Start

01 Sep 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2027

Infant, Premature Infant, Low Birth Weight Parents Life Change Events Needs Assessment Anxiety Fear Stress, Psychological Uncertainty Emotions Caregiver Burden

What is this study about?

Imagine having a new baby who suddenly needs special care in the hospital because they were born early, very small, or fell ill. This can be a very stressful and emotional time for parents. The HOPE Study wants to understand what this experience is like for parents all over the world.

This study is basically an online survey where parents can share their feelings and experiences during their baby's hospital stay. It asks about things like anxiety, fear, and how challenging it is to have a sick baby in the hospital. It also explores whether hospitals offer family-friendly care, which means looking after the baby's needs while also supporting the parents.

The information gathered from this survey is really important. It helps healthcare professionals and decision-makers understand what parents go through and what kind of support they need. By listening to parents' voices, the study aims to improve the care not just for babies, but for the entire family during a difficult time. It's a way to ensure that hospitals and support systems are set up to truly help families when they need it most.

Key takeaways

It's an online survey for parents of babies who needed special hospital care.
It aims to understand parents' feelings and experiences during this time.
The study wants to see how hospitals support families.
Your input can help improve care for other families in the future.
It's not a study where you get new treatments or medicines.
You can take part from anywhere, as it's an online survey.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for parents or primary caregivers of babies who were born on or after January 1st, 2023. Your baby must have needed special or intensive care in the hospital within their first week of life. This could include things like needing oxygen, being in an incubator, having IV fluids, or treatment for infections or feeding problems.

We are only looking for parents or primary caregivers, not other family members. Your baby must have received special care in the first week. If your baby was born before January 1st, 2023, or did not need special care in the first week, you wouldn't be able to take part. Also, you need to be able to understand one of the languages the survey is offered in.

The study welcomes anyone aged 18 or older, regardless of their gender, as long as they meet the criteria above.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is your baby born on or after January 1st, 2023?
Did your baby need special hospital care within their first week of life (e.g., oxygen, incubator, IVs)?
Are you the parent or primary caregiver of the baby?
Are you 18 years old or older?
Can you understand one of the survey languages well?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will be asked to complete an online survey. This survey will ask questions about your experiences and feelings while your baby was receiving special hospital care. There are no hospital visits or treatments involved, as this is purely a survey study to gather information. You won't be given any medication, and there's no follow-up after you complete the survey. The time it takes to complete the survey will be stated at the beginning, but it's generally a one-off completion.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of taking part is that your experience will help healthcare experts understand what parents go through and how to improve care for families like yours in the future. There are no direct physical risks, but answering questions about a stressful time might bring up difficult emotions for some people. You are free to skip any questions you don't feel comfortable answering. You can also stop taking part in the survey at any time without giving a reason.

Locations (1)

Global Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (GFCNI)
Verified postcode
Munich, Germany

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

The main goal is to understand the experiences and feelings of parents whose newborns needed special care in hospital.

Is this study giving new treatments or medicines?

No, this is a survey study. There are no new treatments or medicines involved.

Who can take part in this study?

Parents or primary caregivers of babies born on or after January 1st, 2023, who needed special hospital care in their first week of life.

How long will it take to complete the survey?

The survey is a one-off activity. The exact time will be displayed at the start, but it's designed to be completed in one sitting.

Will my answers be kept private?

Yes, all your responses will be kept confidential and used to understand overall trends, not individual cases.

How to find out more

Julia Hoffmann, Dr

julia.hoffmann@gfcni.org +49 89 89 0 83 260 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.