As a practitioner providing online therapy services to schools, understanding the experiences of parents whose children have undergone newborn hearing screening (NHS) can significantly enhance your practice. The research article "Parents Experiences in a Locally Initiated Newborn Hearing Screening Program" by Kelly and Bibby (2008) offers valuable insights that can be leveraged to improve your skills and encourage further research.
The study presents three major themes from the parents' perspectives:
- Experiencing and dealing with the screening and diagnosis
- Interacting with professionals
- Coping and realizing additional areas of need
Experiencing and Dealing with the Screening and Diagnosis
Parents reported mixed feelings about the screening process. While some appreciated the information provided by healthcare professionals, others felt confused and anxious, particularly when their child received a "refer" result. Practitioners can improve by ensuring clear, empathetic communication and providing comprehensive pre-screening information to parents.
Interacting with Professionals
Interactions with healthcare professionals significantly impacted parents' experiences. Positive interactions were characterized by empathy, clear communication, and timely support. Negative experiences often involved confusion, lack of information, and feeling unsupported. Practitioners should strive to build trust, offer clear guidance, and maintain open lines of communication with parents.
Coping and Realizing Additional Areas of Need
Parents expressed a need for additional support, including access to veteran parents and professional counselors. They also highlighted the importance of timely and accurate information about intervention services. Practitioners can facilitate better outcomes by connecting parents with support networks and ensuring they have access to the necessary resources and information.
To further enhance your practice, consider the following actions:
- Engage in ongoing professional development to stay updated on best practices in early hearing detection and intervention.
- Foster a collaborative environment where parents feel supported and informed.
- Conduct further research to understand the evolving needs of families and how to best address them.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Parents Experiences in a Locally Initiated Newborn Hearing Screening Program.
