Readiness of obstetric professionals to inform parents regarding potential outcome of premature infants. J Obstet Gynaecol 2012 May;32(4):326-31
Date
04/24/2012Pubmed ID
22519473DOI
10.3109/01443615.2012.656743Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84860128437 7 CitationsAbstract
Parents often regard obstetric professionals as an important source of information regarding prematurity. However, there is no information regarding the readiness of these obstetric professionals to inform expectant parents of the potential outcomes of premature infants. Using a self-report questionnaire, we determined the knowledge of obstetric professionals regarding outcomes of premature infants, and gauged their confidence in providing this information to expectant parents. Some 50% of obstetric professionals reported that they 'struggle to answer parental questions' regarding premature infants. The majority of obstetric professionals correctly identified potential morbidities of prematurity, but compared to neonatal professionals, they were less likely to discuss this information with parents. When they do provide information to parents, obstetric professionals were least likely to discuss neurological morbidities. Our study has identified an important barrier to the effective transfer of neonatal outcomes information to expectant parents. This limitation requires further investigation and intervention.
Author List
Powell MR, Kim UO, Weisgerber MC, Simpson PM, Nugent M, Basir MAAuthors
Mir Abdul Basir MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinPippa M. Simpson PhD Adjunct Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Michael C. Weisgerber MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Attitude of Health PersonnelCounseling
Disclosure
Health Personnel
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Obstetrics
Parents
Professional-Family Relations
Self Report
