Preparing Heart and Mind

baby's feet

Results from the Preparing Heart and Mind™ Study

McKechnie, A. C., Elgersma, K., Ambrose, M. B., Sanchez Mejia, A. A; Shah, K. M; Iwaszko Wagner, T; Trebilcock, A; Hallock, C. (2023). Nurse-guided mobile health care program to reduce emotional distress experienced by parents of infants prenatally diagnosed with critical congenital heart disease: A pilot study. Progress in Pediatric Cardiology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppedcard.2023.101687

McKechnie, A. C., Elgersma, K., Iwaszko Wagner, T., Trebilcock, A., Damico, J., Sosa, A., Ambrose, M. B., Shah, K. M., Sanchez Mejia,  A. A., Pridham, K. F. (2023). An mHealth, patient engagement approach to understand and address parents’ mental health and caregiving needs after prenatal diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease. Patient Education and Counseling Innovation. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100213

What is Preparing Heart and Mind™?

Our focus is on supporting parents during an uncertain time - when there are concerns about a baby’s health before and after birth.

We have developed the Preparing Heart and Mind™ care program as a new way to provide what parents need along the journey of becoming parents to their new baby. The care program includes a mobile app designed for a pregnant person and their caregiving partner (for example, a spouse, partner, or grandparent). This app is based on what we have learned from parents, like you, and healthcare providers who are dealing with fetal and infant health concerns.

What was the purpose of this study?

The purpose of this study is was to test the Preparing Heart and Mind™ care program, and find out how it could be used to make a family’s experience better.

What did study participants do?

Study participants completed surveys throughout the pregnancy and after the birth of their baby. Some had video sessions or phone calls with a nurse, who helped with the app, answered questions, and talked about important experiences and issues.

Study Sponsors: 

The Preparing Heart and Mind™ study has been generously sponsored by:

  • NIH Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (MN-REACH)
  • University of Minnesota Department of Pediatrics-Masonic Cross-Departmental Grants for Children’s Health Research