Factors that influence parents' experiences with results disclosure after newborn screening identifies genetic carrier status for cystic fibrosis or sickle cell hemoglobinopathy. Patient Educ Couns 2013 Mar;90(3):378-85
Date
01/14/2012Pubmed ID
22240007Pubmed Central ID
PMC3328613DOI
10.1016/j.pec.2011.12.007Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84873444679 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 28 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: Newborn screening (NBS) identifies genetic carriers for sickle cell hemoglobinopathy and cystic fibrosis. We aimed to identify factors during initial NBS carrier results disclosure by primary care providers (PCPs) that influenced parents' experiences and reactions.
METHODS: Open-ended responses from telephone interviews with 270 parents of carriers were analyzed using mixed-methods. Conventional content analysis identified influential factors; chi-square tests analyzed relationships between factors and parent-reported reactions.
RESULTS: Parents reported positive (35%) or negative (31%) reactions to results disclosure. Parents' experiences were influenced by specific factors: content messages (72%), PCP traits (47%), and aspects of the setting (30%). Including at least one of five specific content messages was associated (p<0.05) with positive parental reactions; omitting at least one of four specific content messages was associated (p<0.05) with negative parental reactions. Parents reported positive reactions when PCPs avoided jargon or were perceived as calm. Parents reported negative reactions to jargon usage and results disclosure by voicemail.
CONCLUSION: Parents identified aspects of PCP communication which influenced their reactions and results disclosure experiences.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Our findings suggest ways PCPs may improve communication of carrier results. PCPs should provide specific content messages and consider how their actions, characteristics, and setting can influence parental reactions.
Author List
Collins JL, La Pean A, O'Tool F, Eskra KL, Roedl SJ, Tluczek A, Farrell MHMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultCarrier State
Cystic Fibrosis
Disclosure
Female
Genetic Counseling
Genetic Testing
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Hemoglobin SC Disease
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Interviews as Topic
Male
Parents
Qualitative Research
