Decision influences and aftermath
Parents, stillbirth and autopsy
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19508591 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Dell Horey (0000-0001-7594-7694, La Trobe University), Vicki Flenady (0000-0001-8114-7677, The University of Queensland), Liz Conway (Sands), Emma McLeod (0000-0002-1882-496X, Stillbirth Foundation), T Yee Khong (0000-0002-2404-007X, South Australia Pathology) |
| Year | 2014 |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 534-544 |
| Publication date | 2014-08-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Health Expectations (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1369-7625.2012.00782.x |
| PMID | 22708659 |
| OpenAlex | W1484174831 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
| References cited | 43 |
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
Autopsy · Obstetrics · Pathology · Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Medicine · Neuroscience of respiration and sleep · Psychology · Social Psychology
Experiences and needs of family members of perinatal infant deaths
Looking for answers”
Maternity Healthcare Chaplains and Perinatal Post-Mortem Support and Understanding in the United Kingdom and Ireland
Socio-anthropological methods to study the feasibility and acceptability of the minimally invasive autopsy from the perspective of local communities
Parental decision making around perinatal autopsy
Varieties of Uncertainty in Health Care
Decision aids for people facing health treatment or screening decisions
Evaluative Criteria for Qualitative Research in Health Care
Qualitative content analysis in nursing research
The Wounded Storyteller
Deliberation before determination
Psychological and social consequences among mothers suffering from perinatal loss
The effects of social support on maternal anxiety and depression after stillbirth
Exploring patient involvement in healthcare decision making across different education and functional health literacy groups
Three Approaches to Qualitative Content Analysis
| Unique citing works | 5 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,45 |
| Citation span | 2015 - 2025 (11) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 5 |