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Geurtzen R, Wilkinson DJC. Incorporating parental values in complex paediatric and perinatal decisions. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2024; 8:225-235. [PMID: 38219752 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(23)00267-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Incorporating parental values in complex medical decisions for young children is important but challenging. In this Review, we explore what it means to incorporate parental values in complex paediatric and perinatal decisions. We provide a narrative overview of the paediatric, ethics, and medical decision-making literature, focusing on value-based and ethically complex decisions for children who are too young to express their own preferences. We explain key concepts and definitions, discuss paediatric-specific features, reflect on challenges in learning and expressing values for both parents and health-care providers, and provide recommendations for clinical practice. Decisional values are informed by global and external values and could relate to the child, the parents, and the whole family. These values should inform preferences and assure value-congruent choices. Additionally, parents might hold various meta values on the process of decision making itself. Complex decisions for young children are emotionally taxing, ethically difficult, and often surrounded by uncertainty. These contextual factors make it more likely that values and preferences are initially absent or unstable and need to be constructed or stabilised. Health-care professionals and parents should work together to construct and clarify values and incorporate them into personalised decisions for the child. An open communication style, with unbiased and tailored information in a supportive environment, is helpful. Dedicated training in communication and shared decision making could help to improve the incorporation of parental values in complex decisions for young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Geurtzen
- Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud Institute of Healthcare Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | - Dominic J C Wilkinson
- Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Newborn Care Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University, Oxford, UK; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore
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de Boer A, De Proost L, de Vries M, Hogeveen M, Verweij EJTJ, Geurtzen R. Perspectives of extremely prematurely born adults on what to consider in prenatal decision-making: a qualitative focus group study. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2024; 109:196-201. [PMID: 37726159 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2023-325997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A shared decision-making (SDM) approach is recommended for prenatal decisions at the limit of viability, with a guiding role for parental values. People born extremely premature experience the consequences of the decision made, but information about their perspectives on prenatal decisions is lacking. Therefore, this study aims to describe their perspectives on what is important in decision-making at the limit of viability. DESIGN Semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted, recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were independently analysed by two researchers in Atlas.ti. RESULTS Four focus groups were conducted in the Netherlands, with five to six participants each, born between 240/7 and 300/7 weeks gestation in the period between 1965 and 2002. Considering their personal life experiences and how their extremely premature birth affected their families, the participants reflected on decision-making at the limit of viability. Various considerations were discussed and summarised into the following themes: anticipated parental regret, the wish to look at the baby directly after birth, to give the infant a chance at survival, quality of life, long-term outcomes for the infant and the family, and religious or spiritual considerations. CONCLUSIONS Insights into the perspectives of adults born extremely premature deepened our understanding of values considered in decision-making at the limit of viability. Results point out the need for a more individualised prediction of the prognosis and more extensive information on the lifelong impact of an extremely premature birth on both the infant and the family. This could help future parents and healthcare professionals in value-laden decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angret de Boer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neonatology, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lien De Proost
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Law, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke de Vries
- Institute for Computing and Information Sciences (iCIS), Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marije Hogeveen
- Department of Neonatology, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - E J T Joanne Verweij
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rosa Geurtzen
- Department of Neonatology, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Prins S, Linn AJ, van Kaam AHLC, van de Loo M, van Woensel JBM, van Heerde M, Dijk PH, Kneyber MCJ, de Hoog M, Simons SHP, Akkermans AA, Smets EMA, de Vos MA. Diversity of Parent Emotions and Physician Responses During End-of-Life Conversations. Pediatrics 2023; 152:e2022061050. [PMID: 37575087 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-061050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES To provide support to parents of critically ill children, it is important that physicians adequately respond to parents' emotions. In this study, we investigated emotions expressed by parents, physicians' responses to these expressions, and parents' emotions after the physicians' responses in conversations in which crucial decisions regarding the child's life-sustaining treatment had to be made. METHODS Forty-nine audio-recorded conversations between parents of 12 critically ill children and physicians working in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units of 3 Dutch university medical centers were coded and analyzed by using a qualitative inductive approach. RESULTS Forty-six physicians and 22 parents of 12 children participated. In all 49 conversations, parents expressed a broad range of emotions, often intertwining, including anxiety, anger, devotion, grief, relief, hope, and guilt. Both implicit and explicit expressions of anxiety were prevalent. Physicians predominantly responded to parental emotions with cognition-oriented approaches, thereby limiting opportunities for parents. This appeared to intensify parents' expressions of anger and protectiveness, although their anxiety remained under the surface. In response to more tangible emotional expressions, for instance, grief when the child's death was imminent, physicians provided parents helpful support in both affect- and cognition-oriented ways. CONCLUSIONS Our findings illustrate the diversity of emotions expressed by parents during end-of-life conversations. Moreover, they offer insight into the more and less helpful ways in which physicians may respond to these emotions. More training is needed to help physicians in recognizing parents' emotions, particularly implicit expressions of anxiety, and to choose helpful combinations of responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne Prins
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital
| | - Annemiek J Linn
- Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Moniek van de Loo
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital
| | - Job B M van Woensel
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Intensive Care, Emma Children's Hospital
| | - Marc van Heerde
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Intensive Care, Emma Children's Hospital
| | | | - Martin C J Kneyber
- Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Sinno H P Simons
- Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aranka A Akkermans
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen M A Smets
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Limacher R, Fauchère JC, Gubler D, Hendriks MJ. Uncertainty and probability in neonatal end-of-life decision-making: analysing real-time conversations between healthcare professionals and families of critically ill newborns. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:53. [PMID: 37138282 PMCID: PMC10155355 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01170-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A significant number of critically ill neonates face potentially adverse prognoses and outcomes, with some of them fulfilling the criteria for perinatal palliative care. When counselling parents about the critical health condition of their child, neonatal healthcare professionals require extensive skills and competencies in palliative care and communication. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the communication patterns and contents between neonatal healthcare professionals and parents of neonates with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions regarding options such as life-sustaining treatment and palliative care in the decision-making process. METHODS A qualitative approach to analysing audio-recorded conversations between neonatal team and parents. Eight critically ill neonates and a total of 16 conversations from two Swiss level III neonatal intensive care units were included. RESULTS Three main themes were identified: the weight of uncertainty in diagnosis and prognosis, the decision-making process, and palliative care. Uncertainty was observed to impede the discussion about all options of care, including palliative care. Regarding decision-making, neonatologists oftentimes conveyed to parents that this was a shared endeavour. However, parental preferences were not ascertained in the conversations analysed. In most cases, healthcare professionals were leading the discussion and parents expressed their opinion reactively to the information or options received. Only few couples proactively participated in decision-making. The continuation of therapy was often the preferred course of action of the healthcare team and the option of palliative care was not mentioned. However, once the option for palliative care was raised, the parents' wishes and needs regarding the end-of-life care of their child were obtained, respected, and implemented by the team. CONCLUSION Although shared decision-making was a familiar concept in Swiss neonatal intensive care units, parental involvement in the decision-making process illustrated a somewhat different and complex picture. Strict adherence to the concept of certainty might impede the process of decision-making, thereby not discussing palliation and missing opportunities to include parental values and preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regula Limacher
- Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Claude Fauchère
- Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Deborah Gubler
- Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Paediatric Palliative Care, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Manya Jerina Hendriks
- Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Akkermans A, Prins S, Spijkers AS, Wagemans J, Labrie NHM, Willems DL, Schultz MJ, Cherpanath TGV, van Woensel JBM, van Heerde M, van Kaam AH, van de Loo M, Stiggelbout A, Smets EMA, de Vos MA. Argumentation in end-of-life conversations with families in Dutch intensive care units: a qualitative observational study. Intensive Care Med 2023; 49:421-433. [PMID: 37004524 PMCID: PMC10119246 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-023-07027-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In intensive care units (ICUs), decisions about the continuation or discontinuation of life-sustaining treatment (LST) are made on a daily basis. Professional guidelines recommend an open exchange of standpoints and underlying arguments between doctors and families to arrive at the most appropriate decision. Yet, it is still largely unknown how doctors and families argue in real-life conversations. This study aimed to (1) identify which arguments doctors and families use in support of standpoints to continue or discontinue LST, (2) investigate how doctors and families structure their arguments, and (3) explore how their argumentative practices unfold during conversations. METHOD A qualitative inductive thematic analysis of 101 audio-recorded conversations between doctors and families. RESULTS Seventy-one doctors and the families of 36 patients from the neonatal, pediatric, and adult ICU (respectively, N-ICU, P-ICU, and A-ICU) of a large university-based hospital participated. In almost all conversations, doctors were the first to argue and families followed, thereby either countering the doctor's line of argumentation or substantiating it. Arguments put forward by doctors and families fell under one of ten main types. The types of arguments presented by families largely overlapped with those presented by doctors. A real exchange of arguments occurred in a minority of conversations and was generally quite brief in the sense that not all possible arguments were presented and then discussed together. CONCLUSION This study offers a detailed insight in the argumentation practices of doctors and families, which can help doctors to have a sharper eye for the arguments put forward by doctors and families and to offer room for true deliberation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aranka Akkermans
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, North Holland, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Sanne Prins
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, North Holland, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amber S Spijkers
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, North Holland, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jean Wagemans
- Department of Speech Communication, Argumentation Theory, and Rhetoric, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nanon H M Labrie
- Department of Language, Literature and Communication, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dick L Willems
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcus J Schultz
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Thomas G V Cherpanath
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Job B M van Woensel
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marc van Heerde
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anton H van Kaam
- Department of Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Moniek van de Loo
- Department of Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Stiggelbout
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen M A Smets
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, North Holland, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam A de Vos
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Harting MT, Munson D, Linebarger J, Hirshberg E, Gow KW, Malek MM, Robbins AJ, Turnbull J. Ethical Considerations in Critically Ill Neonatal and Pediatric Patients. J Pediatr Surg 2023; 58:1059-1073. [PMID: 36948932 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
The care of critically ill neonates and pediatric patients can be particularly emotionally and ethically challenging. Emerging evidence suggests that we can improve the patient, family, and care team experience in the critical care setting through a better understanding and application of ethical frameworks and communication strategies. We conducted a multidisciplinary panel session at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition in the fall of 2022 wherein we explored a myriad of ethical and communication considerations in this unique patient population, with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) as the congenital anomaly/disease framework. In this review, we will cover state of the art topics in ethics, communication, and palliative care including basic terminology, communication strategies such as trauma-informed communication, establishing/evolving goals of care, futility, medically inappropriate treatment, ethical frameworks, parental discretion, establishing milestones, internal/external intentions, and re-direction of care. These topics will be helpful to many specialties who are involved in the care of critically ill neonates and children including maternal fetal medicine, pediatrics, neonatology, pediatric critical care, palliative care, and pediatric surgery, along with the pediatric surgical subspecialties. We use a theoretical CDH case as an example and include the live audience responses from the interactive session. This primer provides overarching educational principles, as well as practical communication concepts, that can cultivate compassionate multidisciplinary teams, equipped to optimize family-centered, evidence-based compassionate communication and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Harting
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - David Munson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer Linebarger
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri - Kansas City and Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Ellie Hirshberg
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine and Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Kenneth W Gow
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Marcus M Malek
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alexandria J Robbins
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Division of Palliative Care, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jessica Turnbull
- Department of Pediatrics and the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Mercurio MR. Priorities, Professional Humility, and Communication in the Setting of Medical Uncertainty. Pediatrics 2022; 149:188089. [PMID: 35603513 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-056737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Mercurio
- Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut.,Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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