BackgroundThe process of receiving a communication of positivity for metabolic diseases at expanded newborn screening (ENBS) is extremely articulated, involves a variety of actors (parents, maternal and child departments, clinical centres and laboratories) and is open to a variety of outcomes from false positive to true positive cases. Receiving communication of positivity can be highly stressful for parents and requires an adequate communication process to give clear and reliable information without causing excessive worry. This qualitative study describes the parents' experience of receiving a communication of positivity to metabolic diseases at ENBS, and their assessment of the quality of the communication process and steps, with the main aim to identify the process' strengths and weaknesses and to advance tailored recommendations to improve the communication process. MethodFourteen in-depth, semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with parents whose children resulted positive to the ENBS. As part of the ENBS communication process, parents received a first phone call communication of positivity and a second in-person communication at metabolic clinical centres (MCC). The framework analysis method was used to organize the data and identify emerging themes. ResultsParents were largely dissatisfied with the quality and depth of the information received and with the way the healthcare staff delivered the first communication phone call, which failed to create a caring, empathic and safe setting. Many parents tried to reduce the uncertainty by searching online information or consulting with other providers. Nevertheless, the majority of parents described the in-person visit at MCC as clear, welcoming and reassuring. ConclusionMore efforts are needed to improve the quality of the communication process of the ENBS. Guidelines, recommendations and standard scripts to communicate positivity are needed along with programmes and educational resources to train tailored communication skills.

Parents' experience of the communication process of positivity at newborn screening for metabolic diseases: A qualitative study / M. Bani, S. Russo, E. Raggi, S. Gasperini, S. Motta, F. Menni, F. Furlan, G. Cefalo, S. Paci, G. Banderali, P. Marchisio, A. Biondi, M.G. Strepparava. - In: CHILD, CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT. - ISSN 1365-2214. - (2023), pp. 1-11. [Epub ahead of print] [10.1111/cch.13105]

Parents' experience of the communication process of positivity at newborn screening for metabolic diseases: A qualitative study

G. Cefalo;S. Paci;P. Marchisio;
2023

Abstract

BackgroundThe process of receiving a communication of positivity for metabolic diseases at expanded newborn screening (ENBS) is extremely articulated, involves a variety of actors (parents, maternal and child departments, clinical centres and laboratories) and is open to a variety of outcomes from false positive to true positive cases. Receiving communication of positivity can be highly stressful for parents and requires an adequate communication process to give clear and reliable information without causing excessive worry. This qualitative study describes the parents' experience of receiving a communication of positivity to metabolic diseases at ENBS, and their assessment of the quality of the communication process and steps, with the main aim to identify the process' strengths and weaknesses and to advance tailored recommendations to improve the communication process. MethodFourteen in-depth, semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with parents whose children resulted positive to the ENBS. As part of the ENBS communication process, parents received a first phone call communication of positivity and a second in-person communication at metabolic clinical centres (MCC). The framework analysis method was used to organize the data and identify emerging themes. ResultsParents were largely dissatisfied with the quality and depth of the information received and with the way the healthcare staff delivered the first communication phone call, which failed to create a caring, empathic and safe setting. Many parents tried to reduce the uncertainty by searching online information or consulting with other providers. Nevertheless, the majority of parents described the in-person visit at MCC as clear, welcoming and reassuring. ConclusionMore efforts are needed to improve the quality of the communication process of the ENBS. Guidelines, recommendations and standard scripts to communicate positivity are needed along with programmes and educational resources to train tailored communication skills.
communication of positivity; communication process; expanded newborn screening; information needs; parents' experiences;
Settore BIO/14 - Farmacologia
Settore MED/38 - Pediatria Generale e Specialistica
2023
14-feb-2023
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/992108
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