ROLE OF REFLECTIVE PROCESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DEVELOPMENTALLY SUPPORTIVE CARE IN THE NEWBORN INTENSIVE-CARE NURSERY

The National Collaborative Research Institute on Early Childhood Inter vention (NCRI-ECI) multisite study of the effectiveness of family-focu sed, developmentally supportive care with low birthweight infants cons isted of an experimental component and a reflective process component. This article describes the reflective process component, which is ess ential because of the theory-guided relationship-based, and systems-or iented nature of developmental care; the complexity of the neonatal in tensive care unit (NICU) environment; and the need for organized suppo rt for change and growth in NICU practice.