In terms of shared decision-making, parents should be treated as:

In the context of shared decision-making, treating parents as active participants is crucial for fostering an effective and collaborative healthcare environment for neonates. This approach recognizes the vital role that parents play in their child's care and emphasizes their expertise regarding their own child’s needs, preferences, and values.

By engaging parents as active participants, healthcare providers can facilitate open communication, encouraging discussions about treatment options, outcomes, and potential impacts on the child's health. This engagement also helps parents feel more empowered and informed, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to decisions affecting their child's care. Active participation can lead to better adherence to treatment plans, greater parental satisfaction, and improved overall outcomes for the neonate, as parents are more likely to support a course of action in which they have had a hand in determining.

While treating parents as observers, passive recipients of information, or external consultants does not prioritize their input or expertise, these are not conducive frameworks for effective shared decision-making. In contrast, recognizing and valuing the role of parents as active participants is essential for creating a supportive and cooperative healthcare environment.