Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Implementation Strategies of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing in Down Syndrome Screening Programmes

This is the fourth in a series of papers. The previous papers inform midwifery practice by providing insight into whether, to what extent and how cognitive status influences understanding of Down syndrome screening information, the importance of tailoring information, and highlighting areas of communication that are effective in facilitating understanding. These findings led to the development of recommendations to inform a ‘best practice’ model for midwifery communication of screening information within a conceptual framework that recognises the importance of accurate facts, empathic communication and support for decision-making in a woman-centred approach. These recommendations may have wider relevance beyond midwife communication of Down syndrome screening and may impact upon the communication of other screening information provided within antenatal and neonatal screening. It is important that screening information is communicated effectively in light of changes to screening programmes, such as the introduction of non-invasive prenatal testing.

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Influence of midwife communication on women's understanding of Down syndrome screening information

British Journal of Midwifery ◽

10.12968/bjom.2019.27.12.768 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (12) ◽

pp. 768-779 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sophie John ◽

Maggie Kirk ◽

Emma Tonkin ◽

Ian Stuart-Hamilton

Keyword(s):

Down Syndrome ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Prenatal Testing ◽

Mixed Methods Design ◽

Screening Practice ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽

The Uk ◽

Down Syndrome Screening

Aim To analyse how midwives communicate Down syndrome screening information and explore whether women's understanding of this information is influenced by midwives' communicative style. Methods Midwives (n=16) and women (n=100) were recruited from a regional NHS unit in the UK. A mixed-methods design encompassed two components; audio-recorded antenatal consultations to assess midwives' communication and quantitative surveys to assess women's understanding. Findings Midwife communication was not significantly related to women's understanding of Down syndrome screening information. However, qualitative thematic analysis revealed midwife communication was often insufficient in fully describing Down syndrome and screening. Communication was not very interactive, midwives dominated conversations and did not sufficiently check women's knowledge/understanding. Conclusions Policymakers need to consider these findings. Deficits in midwife communication in relation to established screening practice needs to be addressed through additional training ahead of full implementation of non-invasive prenatal testing into midwifery practice.

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Non-invasive prenatal testing for Down syndrome

Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.siny.2013.10.003 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 9-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Philip Twiss ◽

Melissa Hill ◽

Rebecca Daley ◽

Lyn S. Chitty

Keyword(s):

Down Syndrome ◽

Prenatal Testing ◽

Non Invasive

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Obstetric professionals’ perceptions of non-invasive prenatal testing for Down syndrome: clinical usefulness compared with existing tests and ethical implications

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-017-1474-6 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Olivia Miu Yung Ngan ◽

Huso Yi ◽

Samuel Yeung Shan Wong ◽

Daljit Sahota ◽

Shenaz Ahmed

Keyword(s):

Down Syndrome ◽

Prenatal Testing ◽

Clinical Usefulness ◽

Ethical Implications ◽

Non Invasive

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Non-invasive prenatal testing: what an obstetrician needs to know

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20205281 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 5200

Author(s):

Mishu Mangla

Keyword(s):

Health Care Providers ◽

Prenatal Screening ◽

Prenatal Testing ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Target Population ◽

Care Providers ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Primary Health Care Providers ◽

First Choice

No field in obstetrics has seen such fast advancement, as the field of prenatal screening and diagnosis. A wide variety of tests are available today, and this at times becomes confusing both for the patient and the treating doctor that which screening test would be best suited in the given circumstances. Non-invasive prenatal screening, with its numerous advantages is rapidly becoming the test of first choice, especially in the affording set of population. Although, the test has a very high sensitivity and a very good positive predictive value, this too suffers from some disadvantages which should be clear to the obstetrician ordering the test. A good knowledge about the test, the ideal target population in which this should be offered as the primary screening tool and limitations of the test should be known to all practicing obstetricians and primary health care providers. The current review aims to provide a simplified and updated knowledge regarding non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), its major advantages and disadvantages and summarizes the role of ultrasound in patients with negative NIPT.

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Review of: Kaposy C. (2018) Choosing Down Syndrome

Canadian Journal of Bioethics ◽

10.7202/1058145ar ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 21-22

Author(s):

Meghan Chevalier

Keyword(s):

Down Syndrome ◽

Prenatal Testing ◽

Pragmatic Approach ◽

Social Disability ◽

Children With Down Syndrome ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Qualitative Evidence ◽

The Social

With the advent of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing, Chris Kaposy believes that more people should choose to parent children with Down Syndrome. Kaposy advocates for the Social Disability Model and recommends a normative pragmatic approach as standard. He makes use of both quantitative and qualitative evidence to support his position.

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