An NIHR alert for the PND Study: How neonatologists meaningfully involve parents in end-of-life deci
15 March 2021
The Parents and Neonatal Decisions Study team, led by Professor Neil Marlow, have been examining how neonatologists talk to parents about the possibility of limiting life-sustaining treatment for their critically ill new-born baby.
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The Parents and Neonatal Decisions Study team, led by Professor Neil Marlow, have been examining how neonatologists talk to parents about the possibility of limiting life-sustaining treatment for their critically ill new-born baby. This novel study, supported by the NIHR and Sands, has involved the systematic examination of recordings of these challenging conversations. This has enabled the team to identify important features of doctor communication which led to more positive and meaningful parental participation in decision-making. The NIHR have recognised the importance of these findings for clinical practice by summarising the work in the following NIHR alert - Parents are meaningfully involved in decisions on the care of their critically ill baby when they are given options not recommendations