Abstract 69

Aim. Parents facing preterm delivery experience, inconsistent information and infant outcome data. We examined information giving in 25 women in preterm labour at 23-28 weeks. Interventions. A 72-item instrument assessed parental recall of the clinical-parent interview; parental desire to make decisions anxiety and locus of control.

Physician's recall was recorded. Results. Concordance, in recall of parents and clinicians was good for obstetrics (fetal distress 91; placenta previa 100% ; PIH 100%) but poor for neonatal issues (plan for infant 50%; need for resuscitation 61%; feeding issues 59%; ability to hold infant 55%). 24% of parents said "I would prefer to have the doctors advise me, rather than asking me to decide". In 32%, clinicians identified parents who preferred not to decide, but we incorrect in half of their opinions. Anxiety levels for mothers (Speilberger State) were at the 96th percentile. Conclusion. Concordance between parents and clinicians is poor and parental anxiety very high. Although previous findings in parents of infants enrolled in RCT's (Pediatr Res 1995;37(4):40A), appears to apply in clinical care (ie. a substantial subgroup of parents prefer to relinquish-making autonomy) clinicians cannot identify them.