The ShAPE Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improving Shared Decision Making on the Neonatal Unit through Assessment of Parental Experiences. (The ShAPE Study)
IRAS ID
314975
Contact name
Daniel Keen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
In the UK, approximately 1 in 7 newborn babies are admitted to neonatal units for specialist care. During the course of their treatment, there are many important decisions that need to be made and the role of the Neonatologist is to guide and support parents in making the best choices for their infants. There have traditionally been several different styles of how a doctor can support patients in this process. The British Association of Perinatal Medicine have released a framework of care advocating the shared decision approach. This model promotes a shared responsibility for clinical decisions and has been shown to mitigate anxiety and senses of regret.
In this study we want to improve how clinicians can deliver this style of decision making by better understanding the effective communicative, environmental and informative factors that facilitate this process. To achieve this we will interview parents, who have had a baby requiring care on a neonatal unit within the UK, and explore their experience of the clinical decision making process in three common neonatal treatments. These treatments are blood transfusion, medication to treat a patent ductus arteriosus and steroid therapy for chronic lung disease. To participate, their child must have received this treatment within the last six months and has been discharged from hospital for at least 1month.
Participants will be recruited from within the UK with the aid of a recruitment advert. Potential participants will receive a screening phone call to assess eligibility and all subsequent interviews will be conducted on an online platform. Interviews will be transcribed electronically and analysed for common themes using the Braun & Clark thematic process. Themes identified will provide an evidence-based approach to providing effective shared decision making. We hope to recruit 30 participants to the study and aim to have completed the study within one year.REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0443
Date of REC Opinion
29 Nov 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion