Parent Perspectives on Optimal Communication About a New Prenatal Diagnosis of Complex CHD
In an article published in Pediatric Cardiology, researchers sought to understand how clinicians can better communicate about uncertainty with parents receiving a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD), a moment marked by deep uncertainty about diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and family impact. Using a concept mapping approach with thirty-one parents, the study identified seven clusters of parent-prioritized communication strategies; empathy from professionals was rated most important, while realistic expectations for after birth was rated equally impactful. Parents emphasized empathic communication, anchoring uncertainty within known and controllable factors, realistic expectations, and access to practical and peer support as actionable intervention targets for improving clinician-caregiver communication in fetal cardiology.