Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

The feasibility of a multi‐professional training to improve how health care professionals deliver different news to families during pregnancy and at birth

Mugweni, Esther, Lowenhoff, Catherine, Walker, Melita, Jaswal, Sabrena, Emrys-Jones, Angela, Adams, Cheryll, Kendall, Sally (2020) The feasibility of a multi‐professional training to improve how health care professionals deliver different news to families during pregnancy and at birth. Child: Care, Health and Development, . ISSN 0305-1862. E-ISSN 1365-2214. (doi:10.1111/cch.12758) (KAR id:80927)

PDF Author's Accepted Manuscript
Language: English
Download this file
(PDF/1MB)
[thumbnail of feasibility of a multi‐professional training.pdf]
Request a format suitable for use with assistive technology e.g. a screenreader
XML Word Processing Document (DOCX) Author's Accepted Manuscript
Language: English

Restricted to Repository staff only
Contact us about this Publication
[thumbnail of Mugweni, Kendall et al 040120.docx]
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cch.12758

Abstract

Background: In the United Kingdom, pregnant women are offered foetal anomaly screening to assess the chance of their baby being born with eleven different conditions. How health care professionals (HCPs) deliver news about a child having a congenital anomaly affects how it is received and processed by parents. We refer to this news as different news.

Methods: We conducted a mixed methods evaluation of a training intervention to improve how HCPs deliver different news. Twenty‐six HCPs self‐completed pretraining and posttraining questionnaires on skills, knowledge, and attitudes related to delivering different news. Qualitative interviews were conducted with eight HCPs. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the paired t test to compare the pre and post scores and estimate the difference between pre and post scores, and the 95% confidence interval. Qualitative data were analysed using framework analysis guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).

Results: The training intervention was both feasible and acceptable. HCPs indicated that it enhanced or consolidated their knowledge and skills, covered topics relevant to their practice, and that they would recommend it to colleagues. Participants particularly valued integration of the voice of parents with lived experience in the training. Significant increase in mean scores were observed in confidence to deliver different news (2.81, 95% CI [2.43, 3.19] to 4.28, 95% CI [4.09, 4.47]; p < .001) and skills to deliver different news (3.00, 95% CI [2.64, 3.36] to 4.36, 95% CI [4.13, 4.59]; p < .001). HCPs reported feeling more confident in their ability to provide sensitive, responsive, balanced care to families.

Conclusions: The significant improvements in confidence and skills reported by HCPs suggest that the training may be effective in equipping HCPs to minimize the distress, anxiety, and depression associated with receiving different news. This represents a key aspect of the prevention of mental ill health across the life course.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/cch.12758
Uncontrolled keywords: Down syndrome, feasibility, learning disability, training
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Meg Dampier
Date Deposited: 20 Apr 2020 11:43 UTC
Last Modified: 08 Dec 2022 23:39 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/80927 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.