Improving conversations in neonatal care

The Parents and Neonatal Decisions Study, funded by Sands, aimed to enhance communication between doctors and parents during some of the most challenging conversations in neonatal intensive care. These critical discussions involve deciding whether to limit life support for a critically ill baby and move to providing palliative care. 

A survey in 2014 showed that most wanted more training in difficult conversations and breaking bad news, and so the research team set out to improve the quality of training available. The resulting research revealed that current training received by doctors was lacking and many did not have the necessary skills to effectively communicate with parents during difficult conversations. Part of the research involved analysing real-life conversations between parents and healthcare professionals, which provided valuable insights into improving these interactions. 

The research team, with input from Sands, developed a training program for neonatal doctors to better support parents when making difficult decisions. The researchers found it was important to present various options to parents rather than giving recommendations. This approach empowers parents to actively participate in the decision-making process and reduces potential conflicts with the medical team. 

With the implementation of this training program, healthcare professionals have experienced an improvement in their ability to navigate these delicate situations. This has resulted in a positive impact on parents and families, as they feel better supported during these difficult moments. With higher quality communication between parents and medical teams this has meant more compassionate care for families faced with critical decisions. 

Find out more about the successful pilot training session.