I'm not picking up a heart‐beat’

Experiences of sonographers giving bad news to women during ultrasound scans

Bibliographic Data

ID9618149
AuthorsRosie Simpson, R J Simpson (City, University of London), Robert Bor (City, University of London)
Year2001
Volume74
Issue2
Pages255-272
Publication date2001-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBritish Journal of Medical Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-1129 • E-ISSN: 2056-5194
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1348/000711201160867
PMID11453176
OpenAlexW2071294723
LanguageEN
Citations received2

This study explores the experiences of obstetric sonographers imparting diagnostic information which may be considered ‘bad news’ to expectant mothers. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with nine sonographers at two London Hospitals to elicit their experiences of giving bad news. Themes which emerged then formed the basis for a quantitative survey of 180 practising obstetric sonographers in England. Their perception of what constitutes ‘bad news’ was examined. It was found that sonographers were predominantly concerned with lack of time and the unpredictability of the patient's reaction when giving bad news. Staff working in settings where there was a clear protocol specifying how to proceed following disclosure of bad news experienced less stress than those working without such a protocol. These findings have implications for psychologists working with patients who suffer pregnancy loss who may consider provision of support and counselling skills training for sonographers

Family medicine · Medical education · Perception · Radiology · Sonographer · Ultrasound · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Medicine · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues · Patient Dignity and Privacy · Psychology

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