“It feels like you have to choose one or the other”: a qualitative analysis of obstetrician focus groups on periviability counseling
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Katherine M. Johnson
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Kathryn Delaney
Abstract
Objectives
The objective of this study was to gain knowledge and ascertain challenges about periviability counseling among obstetricians to inform curricular development.
Methods
Focus groups were utilized. A series of open-ended questions was posed to each group of obstetricians; responses were audio recorded and transcribed. Transcriptions were analyzed by two coders using thematic analysis.
Results
Four focus groups were convened. Prominent themes included: (1) Obstetrician knowledge about neonatal outcomes is limited, (2) Periviability counseling is both time intensive and time-challenged, (3) Patient processing of information relies on the content, delivery and patient readiness, and (4) Obstetrician bias is toward advocating for maternal safety, which may run counter to parental instinct to “do everything.” The last theme was specifically focused on the role of cesarean delivery.
Conclusions
Curricula focused on improving obstetrician periviability counseling should focus on neonatal outcomes, the role of cesarean delivery, and utilization of shared decision-making.
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Research ethics: The local Institutional Review Board deemed the study exempt from review.
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Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.
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Author contributions: KMJ participated in all aspects of the manuscript, from design, analysis, interpretation, and manuscript writing. KD assisted with implementation of focus groups, analysis, interpretation of results and manuscript writing. MAF participated in design of the study, interpretation of results and assisted in manuscript writing. All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Competing interests: The authors state no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: None declared.
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Data availability: Not applicable.
References
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© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
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Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Corner of Academy
- The IAPM New York 2024 declaration on professional responsibility and abortion
- Review
- Common foot and ankle disorders in pregnancy: the role of diagnostic ultrasound
- Opinion Paper
- Reproductive genetic carrier screening in pregnancy: improving health outcomes and expanding access
- Original Articles – Obstetrics
- “It feels like you have to choose one or the other”: a qualitative analysis of obstetrician focus groups on periviability counseling
- Expectant management vs. cerclage in cases with prolapsed or visible membranes in the second trimester: is 24 weeks gestation threshold critical?
- Prevention of preterm birth in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
- Accidental uterine extensions in cesarean deliveries – outcome of subsequent pregnancy
- Effect of acidic vaginal pH on the efficacy of dinoprostone (PGE2) vaginal tablet for labor induction in full term pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial
- Oligohydramnios at term in the high-risk population – how severe is severe?
- Original Articles – Fetus
- Assessment of the fetal thymic-thoracic ratio in pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis: a prospective case-control study
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia treated via fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion improves outcome in a middle-income country
- Fetal bradyarrhythmias: classification, monitoring and outcomes of 40 cases at a single center
- Deep learning based detection and classification of fetal lip in ultrasound images
- Original Articles – Neonates
- Cytomegalovirus congenital infection: long-term outcomes in a valaciclovir treated population
- Does placental VEGF-A protein expression predict early neurological outcome of neonates from FGR complicated pregnancies?
- Letters to the Editor
- Why do women choose home births: correspondence
- Enhancing safety and outcomes in home births: a detailed response to concerns and recommendations
