Psychological effects of prenatal diagnosis: The example of fetal echocardiography |
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Authors: | T. Barton R. Harris J. Weinman L. Allan D. Crawford |
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Affiliation: | (1) Unit of Psychology, Guy’s Hospital Medical School, London Bridge, SE1 9RT London, U.K. |
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Abstract: | This article presents two studies investigating the psychological effects of fetal echocar-diography (FE). The first compared the effects of FE in high risk and obstetrically normal women. High-risk women were more anxious beforehand and had more negative attitudes. Following a normal scan their attitudes and anxiety were equivalent to the controls but a large variation in postscan psychological changes was found. This variation was examined in the second study with a larger sample. Selected background variables predicted prescan anxiety and anxiety reduction following a normal scan. Quality of communication and feedback also determined postscan anxiety level and rated satisfaction in the two-week follow-up questionnaire. Some suggestions for routine medical practice are included. |
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