Paediatricians' practice in disclosure and follow-up of severe physical disability in young children.

Abstract

Twenty-four paediatricians were asked about their policy and practice regarding disclosure and follow-up of the diagnosis of disability, and for suggestions to improve current practice. Doctors with less clinical experience were more likely to mention the presence of the child as an element of the disclosure interview, and scored higher than those with more experience on an index score of the format of the disclosure interview. Paediatricians' reported constraints on their preferred practice and findings from interviews with mothers in the same study confirmed continuing shortcomings in disclosure practice. Changes in medical training, the adoption of a written policy of good practice and the nomination of a 'key worker' for each family are suggested.