UK consensus guidelines for the delivery of unexpected news in obstetric ultrasound: The ASCKS framework

Judith Johnson; Jane Arezina; Liz Tomlin; Siobhan Alt; Jon Arnold; Sarah Bailey; Hannah Beety; Ruth Bender-Atik; Louise Bryant; Jen Coates; Sam Collinge; Jo Fishburn; Jane Fisher; Jan Fowler; Tracey Glanville; Julian Hallett; Ailith Harley-Roberts; Gill Harrison; Karen Horwood; Catriona Hynes; Lindsay Kimm; Alison McGuinness; Lucy Potter; Liane Powell; Janelle Ramsay; Pieta Shakes; Roxanne Sicklen; Alexander Sims; Tomasina Stacey; Anushka Sumra; Samantha Thomas; Karen Todd; Jacquie Torrington; Rebecca Trueman; Lorraine Walsh; Katherine Watkins; Gill Yaz; Natasha K Hardicre

doi:10.1177/1742271X20935911

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UK consensus guidelines for the delivery of unexpected news in obstetric ultrasound: The ASCKS framework

Journal article

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UK consensus guidelines for the delivery of unexpected news in obstetric ultrasound: The ASCKS framework

Judith Johnson, Jane Arezina, Liz Tomlin, Siobhan Alt, Jon Arnold, Sarah Bailey, Hannah Beety, Ruth Bender-Atik, Louise Bryant, Jen Coates, …

Ultrasound, Vol.28(4), pp.235-245

04/08/2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1742271X20935911

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Abstract

Ultrasound

Sonography

News delivery

Guidelines

Training

Communication

Background: Studies indicate there is a need to improve the delivery of unexpected news via obstetric ultrasound, but there have been few advances in this area. One factor preventing improvement has been a lack of consensus regarding the appropriate phrases and behaviours which sonographers and ultrasound practitioners should use in these situations. Aims: To develop consensus guidelines for unexpected news delivery in Early Pregnancy Unit and Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme NHS settings. Methods: A workshop was conducted to identify priorities and reach consensus on areas of contention. Contributors included interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, policy experts, representatives from third-sector organisations, lay experts and academic researchers ( n = 28). Written and verbal feedback was used to draft initial guidance which was then circulated amongst the wider writing group ( n = 39). Revisions were undertaken until consensus was reached. Results: Consensus guidelines were developed outlining the behaviours and phrases which should be used during scans where unexpected findings are identified. Specific recommendations included that: honest and clear communication should be prioritised, even with uncertain findings; technical terms should be used, but these should be written down together with their lay interpretations; unless expectant parents use other terminology (e.g. ‘foetus’), the term ‘baby’ should be used as a default, even in early pregnancy; at the initial news disclosure, communication should focus on information provision. Expectant parents should not be asked to make decisions during the scan. Conclusions: These recommendations can be used to develop and improve news delivery interventions in obstetric ultrasound settings. The full guidelines can be accessed online as supplemental material and at https://doi.org/10.5518/100/24 .

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Title: UK consensus guidelines for the delivery of unexpected news in obstetric ultrasound: The ASCKS framework
Creators: Judith Johnson (Author) - School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK, Yorkshire Quality and Safety Research Group, Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Jane Arezina (Author) - Specialist Science Education Department (SSED), Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, Worsley Building, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
Liz Tomlin (Author) - Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK
Siobhan Alt (Author) - NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme, Public Health England, London, UK
Jon Arnold (Author) - Tiny Tickers, Leeds, UK
Sarah Bailey (Author) - University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
Hannah Beety (Author) - Nest Independent Midwifery, Kirkstall, Leeds, UK
Ruth Bender-Atik (Author) - The Miscarriage Association, Wakefield, UK
Louise Bryant (Author) - Division of Psychological & Social Medicine, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
Jen Coates (Author) - SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society), London, UK
Sam Collinge (Author) - University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
Jo Fishburn (Author) - Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields, UK
Jane Fisher (Author) - ARC (Antenatal Results and Choices), London, UK
Jan Fowler (Author) - SOFT UK (Support Organisation for Trisomy 13/18), West Midlands, UK
Tracey Glanville (Author) - Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Department of Fetal and Maternal Medicine, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK
Julian Hallett (Author) - The Down’s Syndrome Association, London, UK
Ailith Harley-Roberts (Author) - Sunshine & Smiles – Leeds Down Syndrome Network, Leeds, UK
Gill Harrison (Author) - Society and College of Radiographers, London, UK
Karen Horwood (Author) - Independent Lay Expert, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
Catriona Hynes (Author) - College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
Lindsay Kimm (Author) - Public Health England (PHE) Screening, London, UK
Alison McGuinness (Author) - Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, West Yorkshire, UK
Lucy Potter (Author) - MVP (Maternity Voices Partnership), Leeds, UK, Women’s Health Matters, Leeds, UK
Liane Powell (Author) - NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme, Public Health England, London, UK
Janelle Ramsay (Author) - Independent Lay Expert, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK
Pieta Shakes (Author) - School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, New South Wales, Australia
Roxanne Sicklen (Author) - Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Barnet Hospital, Barnet, UK
Alexander Sims (Author) - St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
Tomasina Stacey (Author) - University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK, Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
Anushka Sumra (Author) - School of Health Sciences, Birmingham City University, Edgbaston, UK
Samantha Thomas (Author) - Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Karen Todd (Author) - Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
Jacquie Torrington (Author) - Division of Midwifery and Radiography, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
Rebecca Trueman (Author) - The Miscarriage Association, Wakefield, UK
Lorraine Walsh (Author) - Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, UK
Katherine Watkins (Author) - Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, Leeds General Infirmary, Antenatal Clinic, Leeds, UK
Gill Yaz (Author) - SHINE (Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Information, Networking, Equality), Peterborough, UK
Natasha K Hardicre (Author) - Yorkshire Quality and Safety Research Group, Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK
Publication Details: Ultrasound, Vol.28(4), pp.235-245
Identifiers: 991012926981602368
Academic Unit: School of Health and Human Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

UK consensus guidelines for the delivery of unexpected news in obstetric ultrasound: The ASCKS framework

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