A transdisciplinary approach to the decision-making process in extreme prematurity

BMC Research Notes

Yves Tremblay¹  Raymond D Lambert¹  Anne-Marie Gagné¹  Marc Simard² 

[1] Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, and Centre de Recherche en Biologie de la Reproduction, Laval University; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec (CHUQ) Research Center, Rm T-1-49, 2705 Laurier Blvd, Quebec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada;Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia; Life Sciences Institute, Rm 2.320, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada

关键词: Sex differences;    Prematurity;    Neonatology;    Web-based forum;    Transdisciplinarity;   

Others  :  1131923
DOI  :  10.1186/1756-0500-7-450

 received in 2014-01-09, accepted in 2014-07-03,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

A wide range of dilemmas encountered in the health domain can be addressed more efficiently by a transdisciplinary approach. The complex context of extreme prematurity, which is raising important challenges for caregivers and parents, warrants such an approach.

Methods

In the present work, experts from various disciplinary fields, namely biomedical, epidemiology, psychology, ethics, and law, were enrolled to participate in a reflection. Gathering a group of experts could be very demanding, both in terms of time and resources, so we created a web-based discussion forum to facilitate the exchanges. The participants were mandated to solve two questions: “Which parameters should be considered before delivering survival care to a premature baby born at the threshold of viability?” and “Would it be acceptable to give different information to parents according to the sex of the baby considering that outcome differences exist between sexes?”

Results

The discussion forum was performed over a period of nine months and went through three phases: unidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary, which required extensive discussions and the preparation of several written reports. Those steps were successfully achieved and the participants finally developed a consensual point of view regarding the initial questions. This discussion board also led to a concrete knowledge product, the publication of the popularized results as an electronic book.

Conclusions

We propose, with our transdisciplinary analysis, a relevant and innovative complement to existing guidelines regarding the decision-making process for premature infants born at the threshold of viability, with an emphasis on the respective responsabilities of the caregivers and the parents.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Simard et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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