Abstract

LUNARDI, Rosani Viera; DANZMANN, Pâmela Schultz  and  SMEHA, Luciane Najar. Communication of Down Syndrome Diagnosis: Experiences of Mothers and Doctors. Estud. pesqui. psicol. [online]. 2023, vol.23, n.1, pp.250-269.  Epub May 03, 2024. ISSN 1808-4281.  https://doi.org/10.12957/epp.2023.75310.

The study aimed to know the experiences of mothers and doctors in relation to the statement of the Down syndrome (DS) diagnosis. This is a exploratory and transversal research, with a qualitative design. 9 mothers and 7 doctors participated. 16 individual semi-structured interviews were carried out. The data were transcribed and submitted to thematic content analysis. It was found that for mothers and doctors, it is a complex and difficult experience, permeated by ambivalent feelings. In mothers, sadness, fear and anguish predominate. Most of them felt dissatisfied in the way as they received the diagnosis, this was attributed by them and the doctors to the lack of preparation during vocational training. It is concluded that, some suggestions can guide the communication of the diagnosis, in order to favor its elaboration, namely: respect the time for the mother to observe and get to know the baby before receiving the diagnosis, communicate it to the mother with sensitivity and empathy, preferably in the presence of the other parent and a psychologist, try to emphasize the positive aspects of the baby's health.

Keywords : down syndrome; diagnosis; maternity; pediatrics..

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