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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Communicating with parents of high-risk infants in neonatal intensive care

Wendy Yee1, Sue Ross

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Calgary.

Paediatrics & Child Health
|November 26, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Effective communication between healthcare professionals and parents is crucial for informed decision-making regarding high-risk infants. This paper explores best practices for discussing infant outcomes and ensuring parental involvement.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Healthcare Communication
  • Parental Support

Background:

  • High-risk infants require complex care decisions.
  • Parental involvement is vital for infant well-being and care.
  • Effective communication bridges the gap between medical information and parental understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize literature on communication strategies for parents of high-risk infants.
  • To identify best practices for healthcare professionals in discussing infant prognoses.
  • To emphasize the importance of shared decision-making in neonatal intensive care.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on parent-professional communication in neonatal care.
  • Analysis of research focusing on outcomes communication for high-risk newborns.
  • Synthesis of evidence-based recommendations for best communication practices.

Main Results:

  • Clear, empathetic communication enhances parental understanding and reduces anxiety.
  • Tailoring information to parental needs and cultural backgrounds is essential.
  • Consistent messaging from the healthcare team fosters trust and facilitates involvement.

Conclusions:

  • Optimizing communication is key to supporting parents of high-risk infants.
  • Implementing best practices promotes shared decision-making and improves the family experience.
  • Further research should explore innovative communication tools and long-term impacts.

Keywords:
CommunicationHigh-risk infantsInformationReview

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