Decision influences and aftermath: parents, stillbirth and autopsy.
Summary of "Decision influences and aftermath: parents, stillbirth and autopsy."
Background  Stillbirth, among the most distressing experiences an adult may face, is also a time when parents must decide whether an autopsy or other post-mortem examinations will be performed on their infant. Autopsies can reveal information that might help explain stillbirth, yet little is known about how people make this difficult decision. Objectives  This study examines the influences on decisions about autopsy after stillbirth among Australian parents. Design  The study involved secondary analysis of transcripts of three focus groups using qualitative content analysis. Participants and setting  Seventeen parents of 14 stillborn babies participated in consultations around the revision of a perinatal mortality audit guideline. Results  Parents shared the decision making. Four decision drivers were identified: parents' preparedness or readiness to make decisions; parental responsibility; concern for possible consequences of an autopsy and the role of health professionals. Each decision driver involved reasons both for and against autopsy. Two decision aftermath were also present: some parents who agreed to an autopsy were dissatisfied with the way the autopsy results were given to them and some parents who did not have an autopsy for their infant expressed some form of regret or uncertainty about the choice they made. Conclusions  To make decisions about autopsy after stillbirth, parents need factual information about autopsy procedures, recognition that there might be fear of blame, an environment of trust, and health services and professionals prepared and skilled for difficult conversations.
Affiliation
Research Fellow, Research Education and Development Unit, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic. Associate Professor, Mater Medical Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld State Coordinator, SANDS Queensland, Brisbane, Qld Founder and Di
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy
ISSN: 1369-7625
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22708659
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1369-7625.2012.00782.x
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Decision Trees
A graphic device used in decision analysis, series of decision options are represented as branches (hierarchical).
Decision Support Techniques
Mathematical or statistical procedures used as aids in making a decision. They are frequently used in medical decision-making.
Parents
Persons functioning as natural, adoptive, or substitute parents. The heading includes the concept of parenthood as well as preparation for becoming a parent.
Child Of Impaired Parents
Child with one or more parents afflicted by a physical or mental disorder.
Genetics, Medical
A subdiscipline of human genetics which entails the reliable prediction of certain human disorders as a function of the lineage and/or genetic makeup of an individual or of any two parents or potential parents.
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