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

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.