Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Assess knowledge, attitude, and satisfaction with the newborn screening (NBS) system among pediatric public health leaders in the state of Florida.
METHODS
Online surveys and open-ended telephone interviews were administered to 10 county medical directors for a state-funded program that oversees NBS. Survey questions examined basic knowledge regarding NBS, views on provider and parent access to NBS information, and recommendations for improving the information distribution system.
RESULTS
Providers learn about NBS from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Department of Health, and continuing medical education; however, 80% of providers were concerned about receiving inadequate information. Thirty percent of the providers surveyed reported that it takes >14 days to receive NBS results. The majority (80%) were concerned that parents may not receive adequate information about their infant's condition, treatment, or prognosis. No provider reported being confident in his or her ability to assess how well a parent understands a positive NBS result. Eighty percent of those surveyed believe that the pediatric primary care provider is responsible for providing NBS information to parents and almost all of the providers (90%) believed parents should be notified of normal NBS results.
CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates dissatisfaction with and confusion about NBS. Addressing this problem requires action at the levels of medical education, clinical care, health policy, and information systems.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Dunn L, Gordon K, Sein J, Ross K

Institution

Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.

Source

Southern medical journal 105:4 2012 Apr pg 218-22

MeSH

Demography
Florida
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Interviews as Topic
Neonatal Screening
Parents
Personal Satisfaction
Physician Executives

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22475673