NUS Nursing Research Seminar: Developing the Nursing Discipline and Strengthening Evidence-Based Knowledge for Multiple-Birth Family Nursing: The Significance of Collaboration

Presented by Dr Kristiina Heinonen, from the University of Eastern Finland, and hosted by NUS Nursing’s Prof He Hong-Gu, the seminar will delve into Multiple-birth families (MBFs) and how these multiple births involve increased risks and a greater need for parental support. In Finland, approximately 40% of twins are born prematurely, and many newborns require care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Caring for MBFs requires special expertise from health and social care professionals.

This presentation reports findings from the TWIN LIFE 2021–28 project, which examined nurses’ and parents’ experiences of MBF nursing using qualitative and quantitative data. The results highlight the need for nurses to better understand family-centered care, support parenting, and promote the well-being of the entire family. Nurses require adequate education and competence to provide high-quality, evidence-based care, while MBFs have the right to receive care tailored to their circumstances. Nursing education should be developed through multidisciplinary collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and educators.