Abstract
Aim Parents at risk of preterm delivery need access to appropriate information to make an informed decision in the best interest of their unborn baby. This is a challenging situation for parents and medical professionals, as they should be able to provide clear and objective information. A specific guidance was developed to improve the level of confidence of medical staff offering counselling for parents.
Material and Method A proforma, Preterm Delivery Information Communication Tool (PREDICT), was developed to enhance the quality of counselling at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust hospitals. This initiative followed a survey conducted among paediatric doctors that assessed their confidence, experience level, prior formal training, and utilisation of existing guidance. The insights gained informed the proforma development, ensuring it addressed the identified needs and gaps effectively.
Results Among 16 paediatric doctors surveyed, including 9 registrars and 4 consultants, 37.5% had not received formal counselling training, and 62.5% had never used a guideline. When rating their confidence in facilitating and documenting discussions on a 1–5 scale, 37.5% scored 1–3, with an average of 3.6. PREDICT, spanning four pages, initially covers maternal medical history, antenatal management (including steroids and magnesium sulphate use), antenatal scans, delivery mode, birth weight, and sepsis risk factors. The second page focuses on essential information for parents, categorised into antenatal management, resuscitation, and postnatal care (Image 1). The final two pages are designed for additional documentation and include the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) framework outlining outcomes for babies born between 22–26 weeks. PREDICT is currently used in 5 hospitals, and its practical impact will undergo re-assessment.
First two pages of Preterm Delivery Information Communication Tool (PREDICT)
Conclusions Antenatal counselling can be challenging for both parents and the professionals facilitating these discussions. There is a crucial need to assist professionals engaged in such discussions. Concise guidance should be readily accessible to enhance the support provided.
