Experiencing acute genomic care: perspectives from parents in the neonatal and paediatric intensive care units towards rapid genomic sequencing.

Summary: When a baby is very sick in the intensive care unit (ICU), doctors sometimes use a quick DNA test to find out what is wrong. This test is called rapid genomic sequencing. It can help doctors choose the best treatment. But how do parents feel about this test?

Researchers talked to 23 parents who agreed to this test for their sick babies. The parents said they felt very overwhelmed in the ICU. Some parents didn't think the DNA test was as important as other treatments right then. Others felt confused, stressed, or felt like they had no choice but to say yes. The study shows that doctors need a better way to talk to parents about these tests. They should break the information into smaller pieces and make it easier for parents to understand and decide.