TY - JOUR
T1 - Universal newborn screening
T2 - Knowledge, attitudes, and satisfaction among public health professionals
AU - Dunn, Laurie
AU - Gordon, Katherine
AU - Sein, Julia
AU - Ross, Kimberly
PY - 2012/4
Y1 - 2012/4
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - communication
KW - newborn screening
KW - public health
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84859631213&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84859631213&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e31824f8220
DO - 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e31824f8220
M3 - Article
C2 - 22475673
AN - SCOPUS:84859631213
SN - 0038-4348
VL - 105
SP - 218
EP - 222
JO - Southern medical journal
JF - Southern medical journal
IS - 4
ER -