Parental readiness for cochlear implant decision-making.
This paper reviews the sparse literature on parental readiness for cochlear implant decision-making. It urges professionals to be cautious when engaging parents in the process and emphasizes the need for professionals to have appropriate training in counselling and parent education. It highlights a range of beliefs and feelings that parents may experience when faced with decision-making; draws attention to possible parent, professional and agency discrepancies in beliefs; and brings to light two common decision-making processes used by families of children with a disability. It concludes with recommendations for improving practice and a call for action.
Duncan
Jill
J
Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, Private Bag 29, Parramatta, NSW 2124, Australia. jill.duncan@ridbc.org.au
D001294:Attitude to Health; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*