# Enhancing Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Paternal Satisfaction: A Comparative Study of Traditional vs. Generative AI-Integrated Counseling

## TL;DR

This study shows that using AI chatbots in NICU counseling improves fathers' satisfaction compared to traditional methods.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the novel use of generative AI in enhancing NICU parental counseling and satisfaction.

## Key findings

- AI-integrated counseling significantly increased paternal satisfaction scores compared to traditional counseling.
- No AI group participant scored below 30 on the satisfaction scale, unlike 25% in the traditional group.
- Baseline demographics and neonatal characteristics were comparable between the two groups.

## Abstract

Background: Admission of a newborn to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a stressful experience for parents. Effective communication is critical but often constrained by time and variability in clinician delivery. Integrating AI chatbots like ChatGPT may improve parental satisfaction.

Methods: In this observational study conducted in a Level III NICU in North India, 180 fathers were quasi-randomly assigned to receive either traditional clinician-led counseling or AI-integrated counseling using ChatGPT. The primary outcome was paternal satisfaction, measured by a custom-developed 10-item NICU Parental Satisfaction Score (range: 10-50).

Results: The AI-integrated group reported significantly higher satisfaction scores (median: 41, IQR: 40-50) compared to the traditional group (median: 35, IQR: 30-45, p < 0.0001). No participant in the AI group scored <30, whereas 25% of the traditional group did. Baseline demographics and neonatal characteristics were comparable.

Conclusion: Generative AI-enhanced counseling improved parental experience in the NICU without compromising clinician interaction. With proper safeguards and clinician oversight, AI integration can enhance clarity, accessibility, and empathy in neonatal communication.