Provision of taped conversations with neonatologists to mothers of babies in intensive care: randomised controlled trial

Koh, Tieh Hee Hai Guan, Butow, Phyllis N., Coory, Michael, Budge, Donna, Collie, Li-An, Whitehall, John, and Tattersall, Martin H. (2007) Provision of taped conversations with neonatologists to mothers of babies in intensive care: randomised controlled trial. British Medical Journal, 334 (7583). pp. 28-31.

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Abstract

Objective: To determine whether providing mothers of babies in neonatal intensive care units with audiotapes of their conversations with a neonatologist improves recall of information and psychological wellbeing.

Design: Randomised, single blinded trial.

Setting: Neonatal intensive care unit, North Queensland, Australia.

Participants: 200 mothers of babies in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Interventions: Mothers given (n=102) or not given (n=98) audiotapes of their conversations with a neonatologist.

Main outcome measures: Recall of information, attitudes to and use of the tape, satisfaction with conversations, postnatal depression, anxiety, general health, and stress about parenting, at 10 days and four and 12 months.

Results: 91% (n=93) of mothers in the tape group listened to the tape (once by day 10, twice by four months, and three times by 12 months; range 1-10). At 10 days and four months, mothers in the tape group recalled significantly more information about diagnosis, treatment, and outcome than mothers in the control group. At four months mothers in the tape group were 75% more likely to recall all of the information about treatment than mothers in the control group (59% v 34%; risk ratio 1.75, 95% confidence interval 1.27 to 2.4). Six mothers, all in the control group, could not recall their conversations. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in satisfaction with conversations (10 days), postnatal depression and anxiety scores (10 days, four and 12 months), and stress about parenting (12 months).

Conclusion: Providing the mothers of babies in neonatal intensive care units with audiotapes of conversations with a neonatologist enhanced their recall of information (up to four months). The taped conversations did not affect the mothers' wellbeing or satisfaction with the neonatologist.

Trial registration: Australian Clinical Trials Registry 12606000478516.

Item ID: 2372
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1756-1833
Keywords: taped conversations; intensive care; neonatologist
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Additional Information:

doi: 10.1136/bmj.39017.675648.BE [abridged version]

Date Deposited: 20 Jul 2009 04:23
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine > 111403 Paediatrics @ 80%
11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111710 Health Counselling @ 20%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9205 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) > 920501 Child Health @ 40%
92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920205 Health Education and Promotion @ 40%
92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920410 Mental Health @ 20%
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