“Yeah that Made a Big Difference!”: The Importance of the Relationship between Health Professionals and Fathers Who Have a Child with Down Syndrome

This study used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore the experiences of seven fathers who have a child with Down syndrome, focusing on their interactions with health professionals. The analysis showed that the major factors associated with negative experiences were feelings of exclusion, receiving overly negative information about the condition and a perceived lack of on-going suppo rt. Positive experiences were associated with being made to feel like an equal parent, being given direct/clear information and being congratulated on the birth of their child. These results provide an insight into what fathers expect in terms of their own and their child’s care and highlight that health professionals have an important and extensive role in influencing fathers’ experiences of Down syndrome.
Source: Journal of Genetic Counseling - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research