Representation of Congenital Birthmarks

Body Representation, Congenital Skin Disorder, Feelings

Newborns, Health Professionals, Maternity Unit, Congenital Birthmarks

This descriptive cross-sectional single center study will be conducted at Angers Maternity Unit. It pertains to the ways in which healthcare professionals represent congenital birthmarks found in newborns. It is our assumption that health professionals may have a tendency to engage in inappropriate behavior when dealing with congenital birthmarks due to lack of knowledge. We make the presumption that insufficient knowledge causes difficulties in managing these birthmarks. Data as to representation of birthmarks in newborns by health professionals will be collected using a semi-quantitative questionnaire. This study constitutes preliminary research work, with a view to creating a professional development plan if necessary.

This descriptive cross-sectional observational study will take place at a single center: Angers Hospital Maternity Unit. Our aim is to assess how healthcare professionals represent congenital birthmarks in newborn infants. We intend to use an optional anonymous questionnaire that will be placed strategically in Angers Maternity Unit workspaces . Each health professional from Angers Maternity Unit will be asked to complete this questionnaire. In this five-minute questionnaire, they will be asked questions regarding their representation of congenital birthmarks, their feelings and their knowledge. We make the hypothesis that some health professionals lack knowledge and are uncomfortable with managing these birthmarks and providing explanations to the parents of newborn infants. We also show them some examples of birthmarks, prompting them to express any feelings they may have. This questionnaire was co-written by Pauline VABRES, a psychologist with experience in the field of self-representation. The questionnaire will remain accessible for 45 days, ensuring that every Maternity Unit health professional has the opportunity to participate (approximately 140 people, excluding non-health professionals working in the Maternity Unit and students). On completion of the questionnaire, the healthcare professionals will seal their answers in envelopes to guarantee anonymity. At the end of the 45-day period, the answers will be collected and analyzed. If required, the second phase of this work will focus on developing educational interventions for health professionals to enhance their knowledge of congenital birthmarks. We also hope to improve management of these lesions and enhance the quality of the explanations provided to parents of newborns. Previous studies have already addressed the feelings of parents confronted with congenital birthmarks. To our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to evaluate the perspective of health professionals

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