Related Experiment Videos
Multidisciplinary team counseling for fetal anomalies
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI 48072.
Insights
Coordinated prenatal management of fetal anomalies involves a multidisciplinary team and family counseling. This approach clarifies the diagnosis and prognosis, reducing family anxiety during a crisis.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Medicine
- Fetal Surgery
- Pediatric Subspecialties
Background:
- Prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies necessitates comprehensive management strategies.
- Effective care requires collaboration among various medical specialists and the family.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a multidisciplinary team approach for managing pregnancies with diagnosed fetal anomalies.
- To evaluate the benefits of early, integrated counseling for affected families.
Main Methods:
- Convening a multidisciplinary team including obstetricians, neonatologists, subspecialists, geneticists, and social workers.
- Facilitating a joint meeting with the family and all relevant specialists shortly after anomaly identification.
- Discussing diagnosis, prognosis, management plans, and available alternatives during the team-family conference.
Main Results:
- The described approach led to a clear definition of the medical problem for families.
- Integrated team counseling was found to reduce confusion and anxiety.
- A supportive environment was established for families experiencing a crisis.
Conclusions:
- A cooperative, multidisciplinary team approach is effective for prenatal management of fetal anomalies.
- Early and comprehensive family counseling improves the management experience and support.
- This model of care has shown favorable outcomes in 28 families studied.
Abstract:
Prenatal management of fetal anomalies requires a cooperative effort of the family, obstetrician, ultrasonographer, neonatologist, pediatric subspecialists, nursing staff, geneticists, and social workers. Our approach to these patients is to convene all team members and the family shortly after an anomaly is identified to review the diagnosis, prognosis, plans, and alternatives. Team counseling offers a clear definition of the problem, avoids unnecessary confusion and anxiety for the family, and provides a supportive environment during this family crisis. Our experience with 28 families has been favorable and is described herein.