Improving the Delivery of Different News to Families by Healthcare Professionals: The DDN Study 2 Report September 2021

The first 1001 days covering from pregnancy to the time that a child is two years old are critical for their physical, emotional and cognitive development. There is increased vulnerability for babies and their families during this period when congenital anomalies are identified. The diagnostic process has significant implications for parent and child emotional and mental wellbeing. In this study, we refer to this diagnostic process as delivering different news (DDN). Ineffective delivery of different news (DN) and the DN itself can result in chronic stress, depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions in parents. In the first 1001 days of life, this may impair parenting ability which potentially has a direct immediate and long-term impact on the infant's physical, cognitive, emotional and social development. Parents must receive DN from healthcare professionals (HCPs) with skills to deliver the news sensitively and compassionately. Currently, not every family has access to such HCPs due to a lack of standardised training or policy to guide professionals on how to effectively deliver DN. Providing communication skills training can potentially minimise the negative psychological impact of the news, maximise the psychological wellbeing of the whole family and reduce staff burnout.