Hayes, Nicole and Bagley, Kerryn and Hewlett, Nicole and Elliott, Elizabeth J and Pestell, Carmela F and Gullo, Matthew J and Munn, Zachary and Middleton, Philippa and Walker, Prue and Till, Haydn and Shanley, Dianne C and Young, Sophia L and Boaden, Nirosha and Hutchinson, Delyse and Kippin, Natalie R and Finlay-Jones, Amy and Friend, Rowena and Shelton, Doug and Crichton, Alison and Reid, Natasha (2023) Lived experiences of the diagnostic assessment process for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a systematic review of qualitative evidence. Alcohol, Clinical & Experimental Research, 47, (7), pp. 1209-1223. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.15097.
External website: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acer.1...
Early assessment and diagnosis of FASD are crucial in providing therapeutic interventions that aim to enhance meaningful participation and quality of life for individuals and their families, while reducing psychosocial difficulties that may arise during adolescence and adulthood. Individuals with lived experience of FASD have expertise based on their own lives and family needs. Their insights into the assessment and diagnostic process are valuable for improving service delivery and informing the provision of meaningful, person- and family-centered care. To date, reviews have focused broadly on the experiences of living with FASD. The aim of this systematic review is to synthesize qualitative evidence on the lived experiences of the diagnostic assessment process for FASD. Six electronic databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, CINAH, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched from inception until February 2021, and updated in December 2022. A manual search of reference lists of included studies identified additional studies for inclusion. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program Checklist for Qualitative Studies. Data from included studies were synthesized using a thematic analysis approach. GRADE-CERQual was used to assess confidence in the review findings. Ten studies met the selection criteria for inclusion in the review. Thematic analysis identified 10 first-level themes relating to four over-arching topics: (1) pre-assessment concerns and challenges, (2) the diagnostic assessment process, (3) receipt of the diagnosis, and (4) post-assessment adaptations and needs. GRADE-CERQual confidence ratings for each of the review themes were moderate to high. The findings from this review have implications for referral pathways, client-centered assessment processes, and post-diagnostic recommendations and support.
E Concepts in biomedical areas > Pregnancy
G Health and disease > Disease by cause (Aetiology) > Foetal, infant, newborn diseases (reproductive effects) > Foetal (fetal) alcohol syndrome / spectrum disorder
HA Screening, identification, and diagnostic method > Physical / medical screening, assessment and diagnostic method
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Patient / client care management
N Communication, information and education > Recommendations > Practice / clinical guidelines
T Demographic characteristics > Pregnant woman
VA Geographic area > International
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