Abstract
Background: Studies indicate there is a need to improve the delivery of unexpected news via obstetric ultrasound, but there have been few advances in this area. One factor preventing improvement has been a lack of consensus regarding the appropriate phrases and behaviours which sonographers and ultrasound practitioners should use in these situations.
Aims: To develop consensus guidelines for unexpected news delivery in Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) and Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP) NHS settings.
Methods: A workshop was conducted to identify priorities and reach consensus on areas of contention. Contributors included interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, policy experts, representatives from third-sector organisations, lay experts and academic researchers (n = 28). Written and verbal feedback was used to draft initial guidance which was then circulated amongst the wider writing group (n = 39). Revisions were undertaken until consensus was reached.
Results: Consensus guidelines were developed outlining the behaviours and phrases which should be used during scans where unexpected findings are identified. Specific recommendations included that: honest and clear communication should be prioritised, even with uncertain findings; technical terms should be used, but these should be written down together with their lay interpretations; unless expectant parents use other terminology (e.g., ‘fetus’), the term ‘baby’ should be used as a default, even in early pregnancy; at the initial news disclosure, communication should focus on information provision. Expectant parents should not be asked to make decisions during the scan.
Conclusions: These recommendations can be used to develop and improve news delivery interventions in obstetric ultrasound settings.
Aims: To develop consensus guidelines for unexpected news delivery in Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) and Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP) NHS settings.
Methods: A workshop was conducted to identify priorities and reach consensus on areas of contention. Contributors included interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, policy experts, representatives from third-sector organisations, lay experts and academic researchers (n = 28). Written and verbal feedback was used to draft initial guidance which was then circulated amongst the wider writing group (n = 39). Revisions were undertaken until consensus was reached.
Results: Consensus guidelines were developed outlining the behaviours and phrases which should be used during scans where unexpected findings are identified. Specific recommendations included that: honest and clear communication should be prioritised, even with uncertain findings; technical terms should be used, but these should be written down together with their lay interpretations; unless expectant parents use other terminology (e.g., ‘fetus’), the term ‘baby’ should be used as a default, even in early pregnancy; at the initial news disclosure, communication should focus on information provision. Expectant parents should not be asked to make decisions during the scan.
Conclusions: These recommendations can be used to develop and improve news delivery interventions in obstetric ultrasound settings.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 235-245 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Ultrasound |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 4 Aug 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2020 |
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'UK consensus guidelines for the delivery of unexpected news in obstetric ultrasound: The ASCKS framework'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Press/Media
-
Delivering unexpected pregnancy news identified via ultrasound: BBC Breakfast News clip
Judith Johnson, Tomasina Stacey, Gill Harrison & Hannah Beety
6/08/20
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research