Field testing of decision coaching with a decision aid for parents facing extreme prematurity.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess and modify an existing decision aid and field-test decision coaching with the modified aid during consultations with parents facing potential delivery at 23 to 24 weeks gestation.

STUDY DESIGN: International Patient Decision Aid Standards instrument (IPDASi) scoring deficits, multi-stakeholder group feedback and α-testing guided modifications. Feasibility/acceptability were assessed. The Decisional Conflict Scale was used to measure participants' decisional conflict before (T1) and immediately after (T2) the consultation.

RESULTS: IPDASi assessment of the existing aid (score 11/35) indicated it required updated data, more information and a palliative care description. Following modification, IPDASi score increased to 26/35. Twenty subjects (12 pregnancies) participated in field-testing; 15 completed all questionnaires. Most participants (89%) would definitely recommend this form of consultation. Decisional conflict scores decreased (P<0.001) between T1 (52±25) and T2 (10±16).

CONCLUSION: Field testing demonstrated that consultations using the aid with decision coaching were feasible, reduced decisional conflict and may facilitate shared decision-making.