TechnOlogy assisted PrenaTal screEning deCisions (TOP-TEC)

Summary


We have developed a digital decision aid that provides factual information to help pregnant women and their partners make informed decisions. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the usability and usefulness of the digital decision aid for pregnant women and their partners. Method: This is a descriptive qualitative study with quantitative data collection. We plan to recruit a targeted sample of up to 105 stakeholders: approximately 45 dyads of pregnant women and their partners, 45 health professionals, and 15 policy/decision makers from three main healthcare sectors (midwife-led birth centers, family medicine practice clinics, and obstetrician led hospital based clinics) in Quebec City. We will conduct individual interviews with stakeholders. Quantitative data will be collected using validated scales. Results: To date, we have met with 45 pregnant women with or without their partners, 10 health professionals and 4 decision makers. Data collection is ongoing and preliminary analysis will begin shortly. Relevance: This technology has the potential to improve the informed consent of women, the patient-clinician relationship, as well as to prevent decision-making conflicts and decisional regret among pregnant women and their partners. In the event of a health intervention with harmful effects, reduced decisional regret is associated with a lower risk of patient complaints. Finally, the introduction of this new health technology respects the informed choice of women.

Partners