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Kim BH, Krick J, Schneider S, Montes A, Anani UE, Murray PD, Arnolds M, Feltman DM. How do Clinicians View the Process of Shared Decision-Making with Parents Facing Extremely Early Deliveries? Results from an Online Survey. Am J Perinatol 2024; 41:713-721. [PMID: 35016247 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1742186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to better understand how neonatology (Neo) and maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) physicians approach the process of shared decision-making (SDM) with parents facing extremely premature (<25 weeks estimated gestational age) delivery during antenatal counseling. STUDY DESIGN Attending physicians at U.S. centers with both Neo and MFM fellowships were invited to answer an original online survey about antenatal counseling for extremely early newborns. Preferences for conveying information are reported elsewhere. Here, we report clinicians' self-assessments of their ability to engage in deliberations and decision-making and perceptions of what is important to parents in the SDM process. Multivariable logistic regression analyzed respondents' views with respect to individual characteristics, such as specialty, gender, and years of clinical experience. RESULTS In total, 74 MFMs and 167 Neos representing 94% of the 81 centers surveyed responded. Neos versus MFMs reported repeat visits with parents less often (<0.001) and agreed that parents were more likely to have made delivery room decisions before they counseled them less often (p < 0.001). Respondents reported regularly achieving most goals of SDM, with the exception of providing spiritual support. Most respondents reported that spiritual and religious views, risk to an infant's survival, and the infant's quality of life were important to parental decision-making, while a physician's own personal choice and family political views were reported as less important. While many barriers to SDM exist, respondents rated language barriers and family views that differ from those of a provider as the most difficult barriers to overcome. CONCLUSION This study provides insights into how consultants from different specialties and demographic groups facilitate SDM, thereby informing future efforts for improving counseling and engaging in SDM with parents facing extremely early deliveries and supporting evidence-based training for these complex communication skills. KEY POINTS · Perceptions differed by specialty and demographics.. · Parents' spiritual needs were infrequently met.. · Barriers to shared decision-making exist..
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Affiliation(s)
- Brennan Hodgson Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jeanne Krick
- Department of Pediatrics, San Antonio Military Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Simone Schneider
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Andres Montes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Joseph's/Candler Health System, Savannah, Georgia
| | - Uchenna E Anani
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Peter D Murray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Marin Arnolds
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Dalia M Feltman
- Evanston Hospital, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Gray M, Baird A, Sawyer T, James J, DeBroux T, Bartlett M, Krick J, Umoren R. Increasing Realism and Variety of Virtual Patient Dialogues for Prenatal Counseling Education Through a Novel Application of ChatGPT: Exploratory Observational Study. JMIR MEDICAL EDUCATION 2024; 10:e50705. [PMID: 38300696 PMCID: PMC10870212 DOI: 10.2196/50705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using virtual patients, facilitated by natural language processing, provides a valuable educational experience for learners. Generating a large, varied sample of realistic and appropriate responses for virtual patients is challenging. Artificial intelligence (AI) programs can be a viable source for these responses, but their utility for this purpose has not been explored. OBJECTIVE In this study, we explored the effectiveness of generative AI (ChatGPT) in developing realistic virtual standardized patient dialogues to teach prenatal counseling skills. METHODS ChatGPT was prompted to generate a list of common areas of concern and questions that families expecting preterm delivery at 24 weeks gestation might ask during prenatal counseling. ChatGPT was then prompted to generate 2 role-plays with dialogues between a parent expecting a potential preterm delivery at 24 weeks and their counseling physician using each of the example questions. The prompt was repeated for 2 unique role-plays: one parent was characterized as anxious and the other as having low trust in the medical system. Role-play scripts were exported verbatim and independently reviewed by 2 neonatologists with experience in prenatal counseling, using a scale of 1-5 on realism, appropriateness, and utility for virtual standardized patient responses. RESULTS ChatGPT generated 7 areas of concern, with 35 example questions used to generate role-plays. The 35 role-play transcripts generated 176 unique parent responses (median 5, IQR 4-6, per role-play) with 268 unique sentences. Expert review identified 117 (65%) of the 176 responses as indicating an emotion, either directly or indirectly. Approximately half (98/176, 56%) of the responses had 2 or more sentences, and half (88/176, 50%) included at least 1 question. More than half (104/176, 58%) of the responses from role-played parent characters described a feeling, such as being scared, worried, or concerned. The role-plays of parents with low trust in the medical system generated many unique sentences (n=50). Most of the sentences in the responses were found to be reasonably realistic (214/268, 80%), appropriate for variable prenatal counseling conversation paths (233/268, 87%), and usable without more than a minimal modification in a virtual patient program (169/268, 63%). CONCLUSIONS Generative AI programs, such as ChatGPT, may provide a viable source of training materials to expand virtual patient programs, with careful attention to the concerns and questions of patients and families. Given the potential for unrealistic or inappropriate statements and questions, an expert should review AI chat outputs before deploying them in an educational program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Gray
- Division of Neonatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Austin Baird
- Division of Healthcare Simulation Sciences, Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Taylor Sawyer
- Division of Neonatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jasmine James
- Department of Family Medicine, Providence St Peter, Olympia, WA, United States
| | - Thea DeBroux
- Division of Neonatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Michelle Bartlett
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jeanne Krick
- Department of Pediatrics, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Rachel Umoren
- Division of Neonatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Mielewczyk FJ, Boyle EM. Uncharted territory: a narrative review of parental involvement in decision-making about late preterm and early term delivery. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:526. [PMID: 37464284 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05845-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Almost 30% of live births in England and Wales occur late preterm or early term (LPET) and are associated with increased risks of adverse health outcomes throughout the lifespan. However, very little is known about the decision-making processes concerning planned LPET births or the involvement of parents in these. This aim of this paper is to review the evidence on parental involvement in obstetric decision-making in general, to consider what can be extrapolated to decisions about LPET delivery, and to suggest directions for further research.A comprehensive, narrative review of relevant literature was conducted using Medline, MIDIRS, PsycInfo and CINAHL databases. Appropriate search terms were combined with Boolean operators to ensure the following broad areas were included: obstetric decision-making, parental involvement, late preterm and early term birth, and mode of delivery.This review suggests that parents' preferences with respect to their inclusion in decision-making vary. Most mothers prefer sharing decision-making with their clinicians and up to half are dissatisfied with the extent of their involvement. Clinicians' opinions on the limits of parental involvement, especially where the safety of mother or baby is potentially compromised, are highly influential in the obstetric decision-making process. Other important factors include contextual factors (such as the nature of the issue under discussion and the presence or absence of relevant medical indications for a requested intervention), demographic and other individual characteristics (such as ethnicity and parity), the quality of communication; and the information provided to parents.This review highlights the overarching need to explore how decisions about potential LPET delivery may be reached in order to maximise the satisfaction of mothers and fathers with their involvement in the decision-making process whilst simultaneously enabling clinicians both to minimise the number of LPET births and to optimise the wellbeing of women and babies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances J Mielewczyk
- Leicester City Football Club (LCFC) Research Programme, Department of Population Health Sciences, College of Life Sciences, George Davies Centre, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.
| | - Elaine M Boyle
- Department of Population Health Sciences, College of Life Sciences, George Davies Centre, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
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4
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de Boer A, de Vries M, Berken DJ, van Dam H, Verweij EJ, Hogeveen M, Geurtzen R. A scoping review of parental values during prenatal decisions about treatment options after extremely premature birth. Acta Paediatr 2023; 112:911-918. [PMID: 36710530 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
AIM To describe what is known in the literature about parental perspectives in making prenatal decisions regarding treatment after birth at the limit of viability, as a better understanding of parental values can help professionals support parents as they decide. METHODS PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant literature from 1 January 2010 to 22 April 2022 on parental decision making. Data were extracted from selected studies and organised into themes. The final themes were formed through collaboration with the parents of a premature infant born at 24 weeks. RESULTS Of the 15,159 papers examined, 17 were included. Parental perspectives were described in terms of long-term outcomes for the infant, survival, protection against the burden of neonatal treatment, long-term impact on the family, religion and spiritual beliefs, to do everything possible, hope, sense of responsibility, wanting the best, doing what is right, giving a chance and the influence of experience. CONCLUSION The extracted parental perspectives show the complexity of these decisions. Some perspectives were clear, but others were multi-interpretable. Increasing the understanding of common parental perspectives can help improve shared prenatal decisions and lead to further improvement and personalisation of the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angret de Boer
- Department of Neonatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Amalia Children's Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke de Vries
- Institute for Computing and Information Sciences (iCIS), Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk-Jan Berken
- Parents of an extremely premature infant born at 24 week gestation, The Netherlands
| | - Hiske van Dam
- Parents of an extremely premature infant born at 24 week gestation, The Netherlands
| | - E Joanne Verweij
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marije Hogeveen
- Department of Neonatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Amalia Children's Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rosa Geurtzen
- Department of Neonatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Amalia Children's Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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5
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An e-Delphi study on mode of delivery and extremely preterm breech singletons. J Perinatol 2023; 43:15-22. [PMID: 35864218 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-022-01458-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To understand clinicians' consensus on mode of delivery in extremely preterm breech infants; assess knowledge on neonatal outcomes and its impact on consensus. STUDY DESIGN A two-round Delphi of obstetrical or neonatal care providers, recruited from national conferences and investigator networks. Round one assessed decision-making (vignettes), and knowledge; the second round reassessed vignettes after presenting outcome data. RESULTS In round one (102 respondents), consensus (a priori, ≥75% agreement) was achieved in 4/13 vignettes: two when likely/very likely to offer Cesarean (26 and 27 weeks) and two for unlikely/very unlikely (23 weeks growth restriction, ± adverse features). Clinicians generally underestimated neonatal outcomes. In round two (87 respondents), three scenarios achieved consensus (likely/very likely to offer Cesarean at 25-27 weeks); in five other vignettes, not offering Cesarean was reduced in ≥15% of respondents. CONCLUSION Limited consensus exists on extremely preterm breech mode of delivery, partly associated with neonatal outcome underestimation. GESTATIONAL AGE NOTATION The authors follow the World Health Organization's notation on gestational age. Under this notation, the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) is day 0 of week 0. Therefore, days 0-6 represent completed week 0, days 7-13 represent completed week 1 and so on.
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6
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Assessing shared decision making during antenatal consultations regarding extreme prematurity. J Perinatol 2023; 43:29-33. [PMID: 36284208 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-022-01542-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether antenatal decisions regarding the neonatal care at birth for extremely preterm infants are more likely to be made when using shared decision-making (SDM)-style consultations compared to standard consultations. STUDY DESIGN In 2015, we implemented a clinical practice guideline promoting SDM use within antenatal consultations in our single-centre university-based perinatal unit. We conducted a prospective cohort study with a retrospective chart review based on data collected from all pregnant women presenting to obstetrical triage between 22 + 0 and 25 + 6 weeks gestation between September 2015 and June 2018. RESULT Two-hundred-and-seventeen cases presented; 137 received antenatal consultations with 82 (60%) being SDM-style. Decisions were frequently made (88%; 120/137) after the consultations, with no significant difference between consultation style (RR 1.08, 95% CI [0.95-1.26], p = 0.28). CONCLUSION The provision of either an SDM-style or a standard antenatal consultation seemed to comparably facilitate the reaching of a care decision.
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7
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Krick JA, Feltman DM, Arnolds M. Decision-Making for Extremely Preterm Infants: A Qualitative Systematic Review. J Pediatr 2022; 251:6-16. [PMID: 35940293 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To synthesize and describe important elements of decision-making during antenatal consultation for threatened preterm delivery at the margin of gestational viability. STUDY DESIGN Data sources including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL Plus were searched. We included all qualitative literature published on decision-making from 1990 to July 2021. Two authors independently screened and evaluated each study using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist; studies reaching moderate and high quality were included. We developed an extraction tool to collect and categorize data from each qualitative article, then used thematic analysis to analyze and describe the findings. RESULTS Twenty-five articles incorporating the views of 504 providers and 352 parents were included for final review. Thematic analysis revealed 4 main themes describing the experience of health care providers and parents participating in decision-making: factors that influence decision-making, information sharing, building a partnership, and making the decision. Parents and providers were not always in agreement upon which elements were most essential to the process of decision-making. Articles published in languages other than English were excluded. CONCLUSIONS Qualitative literature highlighting key factors which are important during antenatal counseling can inform and guide providers through the process of shared decision-making. Communicating clear, honest, and balanced information; avoiding artificially dichotomized options; and focusing on partnership building with families will help providers use the antenatal consultation to reach personalized decisions for each infant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne A Krick
- Department of Pediatrics, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX.
| | - Dalia M Feltman
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Evanston Hospital, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL; Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Marin Arnolds
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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8
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De Proost L, Geurtzen R, Ismaili M'hamdi H, Reiss IKMI, Steegers EAPE, Joanne Verweij EJ. Prenatal counseling for extreme prematurity at the limit of viability: A scoping review. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2022; 105:1743-1760. [PMID: 34872804 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore, based on the existing body of literature, main characteristics of prenatal counseling for parents at risk for extreme preterm birth. METHODS A scoping review was conducted searching Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. RESULTS 46 articles were included. 27 of them were published between 2017 and 2021. More than half of them were conducted in the United States of America. Many different study designs were represented. The following characteristics were identified: personalization, parent-physician relationships, shared decision-making, physician bias, emotions, anxiety, psychosocial factors, parental values, religion, spirituality, hope, quality of life, and uncertainty. CONCLUSIONS Parental values are mentioned in 37 of the included articles. Besides this, uncertainty, shared decision-making, and emotions are most frequently mentioned in the literature. However, reflecting on the interrelation between all characteristics leads us to conclude that personalization is the most notable trend in prenatal counseling practices. More and more, it is valued to adjust the counseling to the parent(s). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS This scoping review emphasizes again the complexity of prenatal counseling at the limit of viability. It offers an exploration of how it is currently approached, and reflects on how future research can contribute to optimizing it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien De Proost
- Department of Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neonatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam The Netherlands.
| | - Rosa Geurtzen
- Department of Neonatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Amalia Children's Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hafez Ismaili M'hamdi
- Department of Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - E A P Eric Steegers
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - E J Joanne Verweij
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam The Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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9
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Arnolds M, Laventhal N. Perinatal Counseling at the Margin of Gestational Viability: Where We've Been, Where We're Going, and How to Navigate a Path Forward. J Pediatr 2021; 233:255-262. [PMID: 33567323 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marin Arnolds
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Evanston Hospital, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL; Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
| | - Naomi Laventhal
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI
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10
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Exploring implicit bias in the perceived consequences of prematurity amongst health care providers in North Queensland - a constructivist grounded theory study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2021; 21:55. [PMID: 33441110 PMCID: PMC7805144 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-03539-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A study was done to explore the attitudes of relevant health care professionals (HCP) towards the provision of intensive care for periviable and extremely premature babies. Methods/design Applying a constructivist grounded theory methodology, HCP were interviewed about their attitudes towards the provision of resuscitation and intensive care for extremely premature babies. These babies are at increased risk of death and neurodisability when compared to babies of older gestations. Participants included HCP of varying disciplines at a large tertiary centre, a regional centre and a remote centre. Staff with a wide range of experience were interviewed. Results Six categories of i) who decides, ii) culture and context of families, iii) the life ahead, iv) to treat a bit or not at all, v) following guidelines and vi) information sharing, emerged. Role specific implicit bias was found as a theoretical construct, which depended on the period for which care was provided relative to the delivery of the baby. This implicit bias is an underlying cause for the negativity seen towards extreme prematurity and is presented in this paper. HCP caring for women prior to delivery have a bias towards healthy term babies that involves overestimation of the risks of extreme prematurity, while neonatal staff were biased towards suffering in the neonatal period and paediatricians recognise positivity of outcomes regardless of neurological status of the child. The implicit bias found may explain negativity towards intensive care of periviable neonates. Conclusion Understanding the presence and origins of role specific implicit bias may enable HCP to work together to improve care for parents preparing for the delivery of extremely premature babies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-03539-5.
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Mardian E, Bucking S, Dunn S, Lemyre B, Daboval T, Moore GP. Evaluating parental perceptions of written handbooks provided during shared decision making with parents anticipating extremely preterm birth. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2020; 35:2723-2730. [PMID: 32727235 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2020.1797671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore parental perceptions of written handbooks provided to them during antenatal counseling for anticipated extremely preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN This study involved a prospective convenience sample of parents anticipating delivery between 22 weeks + 0 days and 25 weeks + 6 days gestation. The antenatal counseling involved a shared decision-making process. In-person interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide to gather feedback about new parent handbooks developed to support decision making. The questions during the semi-structured interview targeted seven main themes: overall impression, timing, graphs/tables, formatting, imagery, ease of use and understanding, and content. The interviews followed an antenatal consultation and provision of the appropriate handbook(s) by a neonatologist. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis of the data was completed. RESULTS Eleven parents were interviewed. All parents described the provision of the handbook(s) following the consultation with a neonatologist as the ideal time. All parents considered a visual representation of the data to be invaluable. Parents considered the handbooks easy to understand and straightforward. Some parents were satisfied with simple information, which helped them feel less overwhelmed; others felt the depth of information was insufficient. Parents preferred a paper copy to electronic. Reactions to the photo of an infant receiving intensive care varied; some parents felt frightened, others felt comforted. CONCLUSION Overall, parents positively evaluated the handbooks, supporting their utility for parents anticipating extremely preterm birth. Concrete suggestions for improvement were made; the handbooks will be modified accordingly. Parents at other perinatal centers may benefit from receiving such handbooks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Mardian
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Shannon Bucking
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Sandra Dunn
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Brigitte Lemyre
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada.,Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Thierry Daboval
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada.,Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Gregory P Moore
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada.,Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
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12
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Albersheim S. The Extremely Preterm Infant: Ethical Considerations in Life-and-Death Decision-Making. Front Pediatr 2020; 8:55. [PMID: 32175292 PMCID: PMC7054342 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Care of the preterm infant has improved tremendously over the last 60 years, with attendant improvement in outcomes. For the extremely preterm infant, <28 weeks' gestation, concerns related to survival as well as neurodevelopmental impairment, have influenced decision-making to a much larger extent than seen in older children. Possible reasons for conferring a different status on extremely preterm infants include: (1) the belief that the brain is a privileged organ, (2) the degree of medical uncertainty in terms of outcomes, (3) the fact that the family will deal with the psychological, emotional, physical, and financial consequences of treatment decisions, (4) that the extremely preterm looks more like a fetus than a term newborn, (5) the initial lack of relational identity, (6) the fact that extremely preterm infants are technology-dependent, and (7) the timing of decision-making around delivery. Treating extremely preterm infants differently does not hold up to scrutiny. They are owed the same respect as other pediatric patients, in terms of personhood, and we have the same duties to care for them. However, the degree of medical uncertainty and the fact that parents will deal with the consequences of decision-making, highlights the importance of providing a wide band of discretion in parental decision-making authority. Ethical principles considered in decision-making include best interest (historically the sine qua non of pediatric decision-making), a reasonable person standard, the "good enough" parent, and the harm principle, the latter two being more pragmatic. To operationalize these principles, potential models for decision-making are the Zone of Parental Discretion, the Not Unreasonable Standard, and a Shared Decision-Making model. In the final analysis shared decision-making with a wide zone of parental discretion, which is based on the harm principle, would provide fair and equitable decision-making for the extremely preterm infant. However, in the rare circumstance where parents do not wish to embark upon intensive care, against medical recommendations, it would be most helpful to develop local guidelines both for support of health care practitioners and to provide consistency of care for extremely preterm infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Albersheim
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, BC Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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