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Talking about the unthinkable: perinatal/neonatal communication issues and procedures
Susan Fox1, Frederic W Platt, Maysel Kemp White
1Foundations of Doctoring Curriculum, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 141 Union Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80228, USA.
Clinics in Perinatology
|March 22, 2005
Summary
Clinician-parent communication in perinatology and neonatology requires advanced skills. Effective dialogue involves empathy, clear information sharing, and supporting parents through difficult decisions.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine
- Medical Communication
- Clinical Ethics
Background:
- Clinician-parent conversations in perinatology and neonatology are complex and prolonged.
- Parents require detailed explanations of medical information and its impact.
- These discussions involve significant medical and resource data that parents may struggle to process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify essential conversational skills for clinicians in perinatology and neonatology.
- To explore the underlying physician habits crucial for effective communication in these fields.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of clinician-parent interactions in high-stakes perinatal and neonatal settings.
- Identification of key communication strategies and physician attributes through observational and anecdotal data.
Main Results:
- Essential conversational skills include delivering bad news, sharing information effectively, and demonstrating empathy.
- Underlying physician habits such as curiosity, patience, and courage are vital.
- Clinicians must help parents align decisions with their values.
Conclusions:
- Effective communication in perinatology and neonatology necessitates a blend of specialized conversational skills and core physician virtues.
- Developing these skills and habits can improve the quality of care and decision-making for parents facing challenging neonatal and perinatal outcomes.