'More like a partnership': A qualitative evaluation of Communication Coaching for Sonographers (CCS) in obstetric ultrasound.

Introduction: Sonographers are required to deliver unexpected news to expectant parents in real time during obstetric ultrasound scans. The complexity of these interactions requires sonographers to conduct the clinical task while communicating their findings and managing the expectant parent's response within the designated appointment time. Communication coaching for sonographers (CCS) is a tailored intervention that has previously been associated with improvements in confidence and news delivery practice.

Facilitators and barriers to undertaking research into the practice and delivery of clinical ultrasound: A qualitative investigation.

Introduction: Increasing research productivity of clinicians can deliver benefits for healthcare organisations and those who work in them, but a notably larger proportion of ultrasound practitioners are interested in undertaking research than are actively engaged in it. This study aimed to understand this gap by investigating the facilitators and barriers to conducting research in professionals from multiple disciplines whose work is focused on clinical ultrasound.

Methods: Current and prospective researchers from any discipline interested in or undertaking research into the practice and delivery of clinical ultrasound were recruited between March and June 2023.

Communication coaching for sonographers (CCS): Preliminary evaluation of a novel intervention to improve unexpected news delivery.

Objective: Obstetric ultrasound scans provide real-time results. In some organisations and countries, the immediate communication of results by sonographers to patients is standard practice, but there is a lack of evidence-based training to support them with this challenging task. This pilot study evaluated a novel communication coaching intervention to improve sonographer communication.

Adapting a communication coaching intervention for obstetric sonographers delivering unexpected news: A qualitative study.

Introduction: Despite widespread recognition that communicating unexpected news during obstetric ultrasound examinations is challenging, there is a dearth of research investigating how to teach evidence-based communication to sonographers. Communication Coaching is a supportive, positive method that has previously been associated with improvements in communication, patient satisfaction, and reduced burnout in clinicians. However, to date, no study has coached sonographers.

Managing the unmanageable: A qualitative study exploring sonographer experiences of and training in unexpected and difficult news delivery.

Introduction: Ultrasound is used to diagnose pregnancy complications such as miscarriage and fetal health conditions. Within the UK, findings identified during ultrasound examination are delivered by sonographers as standard. However, little is known about the experiences of sonographers when delivering unexpected news (DUN), the impact this has on them, or their preferences for training on news delivery.

Learning how to deliver bad and challenging news: Exploring the experience of trainee sonographers - A qualitative study.

Background: Previous studies suggest there is a need to improve the delivery of bad and challenging news in obstetric ultrasound settings. However, no research has explored the experiences of trainee sonographers when learning how to deliver challenging news. Understanding this could identify gaps in current provision and inform future training interventions.

Breaking bad and difficult news in obstetric ultrasound and sonographer burnout: Is training helpful?

Background: Sonographers report high levels of burnout. For those working in obstetric ultrasound, one frequently cited stressor is the delivery of bad or difficult news. Training in news delivery may reduce sonographer stress levels, but no studies have investigated sonographer experiences of this training.

The accuracy of ultrasound estimation of fetal weight in comparison to birth weight: A systematic review.

Ultrasound estimation of fetal weight is a highly influential factor in antenatal management, guiding both the timing and mode of delivery of a pregnancy. Although substantial research has investigated the most accurate ultrasound formula for calculating estimated fetal weight, current evidence indicates significant error levels. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the most accurate method, whilst identifying sources of inaccuracy in order to facilitate recommendations for future practice.

Induction and processing of promutagenic O4-ethylthymine lesion in specific gene segments of plasmid DNA.

High affinity antibodies were used for the quantitative assessment of the miscoding O4-ethylthymine (O4-EtThy) base lesion in nanogram amounts of membrane transblotted restriction fragments of ENU treated DNA. The polyclonal antibody (TB3) specifically recognized attomoles of the alkylation adducts in modified DNA with no cross-reactivity to an excess of unmodified DNA. The sensitivity of the immuno-quantitative method was determined to be in the range of 76 attomoles to 2.

Immunoanalysis of ultraviolet radiation induced DNA damage and repair within specific gene segments of plasmid DNA.

The region-specific heterogeneity of repairing DNA damage has been established in several biological systems. A flexible and sensitive approach, based upon DNA damage specific antibodies, is described to monitor the repair of specific lesions within discrete genomic segments. Membrane transblotted DNA restriction fragments are immunoanalyzed for the initial formation and repair of 254 nm radiation induced pyrimidine dimers.