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Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings

29-04-2024

Collaborative Recognition of Wellbeing Needs: A Novel Approach to Universal Psychosocial Screening on the Neonatal Unit

Authors: Davy Evans, Daisy Eatwell, Shevonne Hodson-Walker, Sarah Pearce, Vicky Reynolds, Shona Smith, Leah Whitehouse, Ruth Butterworth

Published in: Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings

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Abstract

Universal screening for the psychological needs of families in neonatal care is internationally recommended, but is not routinely practiced in the United Kingdom (UK). The present quality improvement project explores the clinical and operational feasibility of a novel approach to universal screening on a neonatal intensive care unit in the UK. The approach to screening taken adopts collaborative, strengths-based and dialogical methods for recognising the psychological needs of families whose baby is in hospital. A novel screening tool, developed through consultation with families, is described. Over one month, 42 out of 80 eligible families engaged with the screening protocol either at admission to the unit, transition to the special care nursery within the unit, or discharge home, with completion rates higher at admission than discharge. This led to an eightfold increase in the number of families accessing targeted or specialist psychological intervention compared to the period prior to this pilot. This project demonstrates the need for adequate capacity in the workforce to carry out a screening programme and to respond to the needs identified.
Appendix
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Footnotes
1
In the UK, “Family Support Worker” is a widely adopted role in healthcare settings, undertaken by non-registered, non-clinical staff. They may be educated to degree level and often have a background in care work. A family support worker facilitates practical, financial, community and emotional support for families.
 
2
Median values are reported for monthly number of referrals to clinical psychologist in the 12 months preceding the pilot, as well as for number of appointments offered during intervention for both the 12 months preceding the pilot and during the pilot period. This was due to significant skewness in these variables owing to a small number of outliers.
 
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Metadata
Title
Collaborative Recognition of Wellbeing Needs: A Novel Approach to Universal Psychosocial Screening on the Neonatal Unit
Authors
Davy Evans
Daisy Eatwell
Shevonne Hodson-Walker
Sarah Pearce
Vicky Reynolds
Shona Smith
Leah Whitehouse
Ruth Butterworth
Publication date
29-04-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings
Print ISSN: 1068-9583
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3572
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-024-10016-6