Showing papers by "Alys Young published in 2005"

Parents' of deaf children evaluative accounts of the process and practice of universal newborn hearing screening.

Abstract: This article presents results from a narrative interview study of 45 parents/caregivers whose infants were correctly identified as deaf through Phase 1 of the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme in England. It concerns the period from the first screening event to the point of referral for audiological assessment. It focuses on the meanings parents attribute to the inconclusive message that the screen delivers and analyzes what it is that differentiates parents for whom such an outcome raises little concern from those who express dissatisfaction. Parents' evaluations of specific features of screening practice and process such as communication style and manner are also considered. It ends with a discussion of the status and validity of parents' accounts within the context of an evaluation of a national screening program and the further development of professional practice.

Issues and Dilemmas in the Production of Standard Information for Parents of Young Deaf Children — Parents' Views

Abstract: This article concerns parents' identification of the dilemmas and challenges involved in providing them with good information. Twenty parents (both Deaf and hearing) took part in focus groups to review the draft of a standard information folder for parents of newly diagnosed deaf children that was being developed by the National Deaf Children's Society and the (UK) government-sponsored Early Support Pilot Programme. As well as providing specific feedback on content, style and mode of delivery, parents also identified and discussed five crucial dilemmas faced by information producers: to what extent does the provision of impartial information actually support parent choice? How much should information provision also encompass attitude setting? How effective is information without attention to the reality context? How much should information be a technical guide and how much an emotional guide? The provision of information or the provision of what works for parents? A qualitative analysis of parents...

Readiness of paediatric audiology services for newborn hearing screening: findings and implications from the programme in England.

Abstract: As well as evaluating the newborn hearing screen itself, the government-funded evaluation of the implementation of a Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) in England is assessing the impact of the screen on follow-up services. In the UK context, these are principally paediatric audiology, education, and social services. This article presents results from a mixed method research study involving paediatric audiology services specifically. Results demonstrate significant variety in current practice with regard to routine tests and procedures, considerable variability in number of current referrals and time allocated to caseloads, and considerable variability in expectations of how the numbers will change following newborn screening implementation. The challenges of and opportunities afforded by NHSP which were identified by respondents, highlight the urgent need for further training. The study has implications for paediatric audiology services that are yet to start NHSP in the UK, as well as for service...

Interprofessional working in the context of newborn hearing screening: Education and Social Services compare challenges

Abstract: This article presents data from a study undertaken as part of the national evaluation of the introduction of the newborn hearing screening programme (NHSP) in England. It considers the impact on Education and Social Services of NHSP from the perspective of how each agency perceives each other's role in circumstances where NHSP is requiring a greater focus on interagency and interprofessional working. The qualitative interview study involved 27 education and 15 social services respondents from phase 1 NHSP sites. It reveals considerable agreement on the poorly developed nature of joint working but considerable disagreement about the roots of such. Education is more likely to focus on issues of role, value and skills; social services on conflicts of ethos and culture. The problem of social services' capacity to respond to referrals concerning deaf children was common to both. The findings are placed in the context of government guidance, in particular Early Support and Children's Trusts, both of which suppo...

The Impact of the National Newborn Hearing Screening Programme on Educational Services in England.

Abstract: This article presents results related to the impact on educational support services of the introduction of the first phase of the national Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) in England. This study was funded by the Department of Health and undertaken as one element of a national evaluation of NHSP across a range of domains. It presents results from a qualitative study of 27 educational services before and after the implementation of NHSP. Key themes were identified and analysed using QSR NU…DIST 4. The analysis used case and cross case perspectives. The key areas identified included links between services, inter-agency working, changes in working practice, funding and resource implications and the perceived opportunities of NHSP. It considers the political context within which NHSP was introduced, including a range of government initiatives that sought to directly influence working practice. The results will have implications for those professionals responsible for offering support to fami...