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Counseling parents of premature neonates on neuroimaging findings
Sarah M Bernstein1, Madison Canfora2, Monica E Lemmon3
1Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.
Insights
Counseling parents of premature infants on brain imaging results is challenging. This article reviews challenges and proposes a 6-step framework to guide clinicians in communicating neuroimaging findings effectively.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Neurology
- Pediatric Neuroimaging
- Clinical Communication
Background:
- Medical advances improve survival for extremely premature infants.
- These infants face risks of brain injury and neurodevelopmental impairment.
- Brain imaging is crucial for assessing outcomes but counseling parents is difficult.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review literature on challenges in counseling parents of premature infants about neuroimaging findings.
- To propose a framework for clinicians to guide these counseling sessions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current practices and challenges.
- Development of a counseling framework based on best practices from other fields.
Main Results:
- Counseling parents on neuroimaging results presents significant communication challenges.
- A 6-step framework is proposed: Plan, Identify Needs, Give Information, Acknowledge Uncertainty, Respond to Emotions, Discuss Expectations/Follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Effective communication is vital for supporting families of premature infants.
- The proposed framework offers a structured approach to improve neuroimaging result counseling.
- Implementing this framework can enhance parental understanding and support.
Abstract:
While medical advancements have led to improved survival of extremely premature infants, children remain at risk for brain injury and neurodevelopmental impairment. Brain imaging can offer insight into an infant's acute and long-term outcome; however, counseling parents about the results and implications of brain imaging remains challenging. The purpose of this article is to review the current literature and describe the challenges associated with counseling families of premature infants on neuroimaging findings. We propose a framework to guide clinicians in counseling parents about brain imaging results, informed by best practices in other disciplines: (FIGURE): 1) Formulate a plan 2) Identify parental needs and values 3) Give information 4) Acknowledge Uncertainty 5) Recognize and Respond to emotions 6) Discuss Expectations and Establish follow-up.
