Learning Objective #1: recognize the need for NICU longtudinal outcomes research.

Learning Objective #2: acknoweldge the importance of ascertaining parental motivations involved in either participating in, or not participating in, NICU longitudinal outcomes research

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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) graduates demonstrate a myriad of outcomes as a result of their illness and subsequent treatments during their time in the NICU. These outcomes range from non-existent, to mild, to severe; and unfortunately the negative outcomes cannot be predicted accurately. In order to accurately predict NICU graduate outcomes this special group of children must be followed over the course of their development: data regarding their cognition, motor abilities, and more should be collected from birth, throughout hospitalization, during childhood, and into young adulthood. The information ascertained can be used to evaluate treatment and also to predict the potential course for future NICU graduates. While this information is invaluable, longitudinal research designs are inherently difficult. So before longitudinal outcome studies with NICU graduates can begin, methods to enhance study designs must take place. The purpose of the present study is to talk with parents of NICU patients and discover their opinions’ regarding research and research with their NICU child, and also ask them to forecast possible facilitators and possible barriers to longitudinal outcome research participation. For the future, the responses obtained during this study can be used to design a study which mutually benefits both the research team and also the participants and their families, and therefore has enhanced chances of success of studying longitudinal outcomes of NICU graduates.