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Lack of institutional pathways for referral: results of a survey among pediatric surgeons on prenatal consultation for congenital anomalies
Author(s) -
Aite Lucia,
Zaccara Antonio,
Cuttini Marina,
Mirante Nadia,
Nahom Antonella,
Bagolan Pietro
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/pd.4165
Subject(s) - medicine , referral , family medicine , prenatal care , prenatal diagnosis , pediatric surgeon , pediatrics , pregnancy , psychiatry , pediatric surgery , fetus , population , environmental health , biology , genetics
ABSTRACT Objective This paper aimed to assess pathways through which pediatric surgeons receive couples for prenatal consultation after prenatal diagnosis. Method A questionnaire was mailed to pediatric surgical centers to assess the following: (1) surgical caseload per year; (2) number of centers in which prenatal consultation is offered; (3) presence of a ‘structured’ prenatal consultation clinic; (4) number of consultations per year; (5) pathways for referral to the pediatric surgeon; and (6) the availability of psychological counseling. Results Response rate was 81%, (42/52 centers). Thirty‐eight centers (93%) offered prenatal consultation. Seven centers (18%) reported to have a ‘structured’ clinic in terms of time and location. In 13 centers (34%), 1–9 consultations were carried out, from 10 to 19 in18 centers (47%), from 20 to over 50 in 7 centers (18%). In 34 centers, internal referrals from the obstetric departments were counseled, and in 28 centers, there were also external referrals. Eleven centers reported that couples were self‐referred. Information regarding prenatal counseling was available on the institutional website in 10/38 (26%) centers. Psychological counseling was available in 36 centers. Conclusion Despite the fact that the majority of pediatric surgical centers provides prenatal consultation, caseloads are very variable as are referral modalities. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.