Balancing Sound Decisions: Exploring Informed Consent Practices and Perspectives in Newborn Hearing Screening...

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Public Health
• Healthcare Ethics

Background:

• Newborn hearing screening (NHS) is vital for early detection of hearing loss.
• Informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical healthcare practice.
• Understanding current informed consent practices in NHS is essential for program effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate informed consent procedures used by audiologists in South African NHS programs.
• To explore perspectives on informed consent from local and international NHS professionals.
• To identify areas for improvement in informed consent processes for newborn hearing screening.

Main Methods:

• A sequential, explanatory mixed-methods design was utilized.
• Phase 1 involved a survey distributed to audiologists via professional networks and social media.
• Phase 2 included focus group interviews with NHS program experts to gain deeper insights.

Main Results:

• Informed consent practices differed between private and public healthcare sectors.
• General consensus existed on information delivery, consent timing, and procedural consistency for all newborns.
• Focus groups revealed the complexity of true informed consent versus implied consent or informed choice, stressing cultural sensitivity and accessibility.

Conclusions:

• Effective informed consent in NHS necessitates timely, clear, and culturally appropriate communication.
• Standardized informed consent practices are needed to improve parental understanding and support for NHS in South Africa.
• Strategies to enhance informed consent processes are proposed, especially where universal NHS is not mandated.