FACILITATING
INFORMED CHOICE IN PRENATAL TESTING:
HOW WELL ARE WE DOING
Theresa M Marteau (UK) and Elizabeth
Dormandy (UK)
Research is now needed in four key areas: first on the optimal ways
of organizing services to facilitate choices that are not only based
on relevant information, but also reflect the decision-maker's values;
second on the most effective ways of framing information needed
for the different decisions involved in prenatal testing; third
on the most effective media in which to deliver information, and
fourth to identify aspects of counseling that facilitate informed
choices following diagnoses of fetal anomaly.
If we value women's ability to make informed choices about prenatal
tests as highly as we value reliable laboratory tests, evidence-based
quality standards need to be developed for the information and
support women are given at all stages of the process of prenatal
testing.
The past decade has been characterized by a huge increase in prenatal
testing. There has been a somewhat slower realization that the
information many women receive about such tests is poor. This
paper reviews the evidence concerning the gap between existing
guidelines and practice, and considers how, in the light of available
evidence, practice can be improved and what evidence is needed
to develop further, evidence-based practice.
I Informed Choices
There is a strong consensus in ethical guidelines published in
Europe, the US and elsewhere that health professionals providing
prenatal testing services should give women and their partners
the information and support they need to make autonomous, informed
decisions [RCP, 1989; Andrews et al., 1994; Baumiller et al.,
1995]. As well as health professionals and policy makers, users
of prenatal services also place a high value on services that
allow them to make an informed choice about prenatal tests [Dodds
and Newburn, 1997; Carroll et al., 2000]. Such an emphasis reflects
a commitment to distance the practice of current genetics from
past abuses, particularly those in Nazi Germany [Duster, 1990;
Muller-Hill, 1988]. It also reflects a growing recognition that
it is unethical for individuals not to be informed of the consequences
of medical interventions, particularly ones in which risk information
is being provided (Kenen, 1996). There is also a belief that an
informed choice, compared with an uninformed one, is associated
with better patient outcomes. Few studies, however, have examined
the psychological consequences of informed choices in relation
to prenatal or other types of tests. In other areas of health
care, however, there is good evidence showing that psychological
preparation for stressful medical procedures is associated with
better psychological and clinical outcomes [Johnston and Vogele,
1993]. How much benefit informed choices, as opposed to choices
that are uninformed, confer in those declining or those undergoing
prenatal testing, remains to be determined. Attempts to quantify
such benefits may provide greater incentives than currently exist
to provide services that facilitate informed choices.
Despite a consensus on the importance of informed choice there
are few definitions and even fewer measures. There is however
an emerging consensus that an informed choice or decision has
two core characteristics: it is based on relevant, good quality
information, and reflects the decision-maker's values [Marteau
et al., in press]. Most research to date has focused upon information
provision and understanding as indicators of the extent to which
decisions are informed. Very little research has focused on women's
values, to determine first, the extent to which their decisions
reflect their values, and second, how services are best organized
to allow choices to reflect values.
II Informing women: what do women want?
High quality information about the nature and risks of the tests
offered , given personally by health professionals as early as
possible in prenatal care to allow time for reflection and informed
decision making. Research suggests that this does not happen in
practice. [Dodds and Newburn, 1997; Carroll et al., 2000, Marteau
et al., 1988; Smith et al., 1994(a); Chilaka et al., 2001]. A
professional consensus is evident in several sets of guidelines
concerning the information that women need when offered prenatal
testing [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,
1987; Joint Working Party of the Royal College of Obstetricians
and Gynaecologists, and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child
Health, 1997]. These include (a) information on the condition
for which testing is being offered, (b) the characteristics of
the test and (c) the implications of possible test results.
(a) Information about the condition
The information provided about the conditions for which testing
is provided tends to be brief [Murray et al, 2001; Marteau, Slack,
Kidd & Shaw, 1992]. In an overview of information presented
about prenatally diagnosed conditions, Asch (1999) concluded that
the information provided was too negative, given the results of
surveys showing that disability most often does not lead to an
unsatisfying life. Information provided on conditions is generally
more negative when provided to those considering prenatal testing
than to those considering testing at other times or to parents
with an affected child [Lippman and Wilfond, 1992; Loeben et al.,
1998]. This raises the question of what comprises a balanced picture
of life with a disability. Those with a disability perceive the
conditions as less serious than those without a disability [Marteau
and Johnston, 1986]. Thus, adults with a condition are less likely
to endorse termination of pregnancies affected by their condition
than are parents with affected children [Conway et al., 1994;
Henneman et al., 2001]. Whatever the origins of the differences,
their existence indicates the importance of eliciting the views
of many groups in order to obtain as full a view as possible of
how to present conditions to prospective parents. The need to
assess the impact upon decision-making of different views is suggested
by the counter-intuitive results of an analogue study, comparing
the effects of different pictures of children with Down syndrome
[Figueiras et al., 1999]. A picture portraying a positive image
of a child with Down syndrome had a similar impact to a negative
image: both resulted in higher concerns about having a child with
the condition, compared with the level of concern generated in
those given no picture. Prospective studies are needed to compare
outcomes for parents making different decisions based on different
types and amounts of information about conditions.
(b) characteristics of the test
Most people have unrealistic expectations of screening tests,
overestimating the number of cases they can detect, and underestimating
the number of people recalled who are subsequently shown to have
no problems [Cockburn et al., 1995]. Few studies have compared
the different ways in which such information can be presented.
There is good evidence from other areas to show that quantifying
uncertainty using frequencies (eg 10 in every 1000 women) rather
than numerical probabilities (eg 1 in 100 chance) leads to greater
understanding [Gigerenzer and Hoffrage, 1995; Hoffrage and Gigerenzer,
1998]. Two studies in the area of prenatal testing evaluating
women's understanding of the risks following screening for Down
syndrome show better understanding when risks are presented using
numbers rather than words [Marteau et al., 2000] and, when numbers
are presented, using frequencies rather than probabilities [Grimes
and Snively, 1999]. More research of this type is needed given
the centrality of risk perceptions to women's decision making
about prenatal tests [Markens et al., 1999].
(c) implications of testing
To make an informed choice about prenatal tests, women need information
on the outcomes of testing. These include the possibility of a
miscarriage following invasive diagnostic tests as well as the
options available following the diagnosis of a fetal anomaly.
For diagnostic tests, it is important to convey the risks inherent
in such procedures. The possibility of a miscarriage can be presented
in numerous ways. Results from a recent analogue study suggest
that the framing of such risks might affect women's decisions
[Shiloh et al., in press]. Further work is needed to ascertain
first the extent to which such variations influence actual decisions,
and second the ways of framing the information result in optimal
levels of informed choice. The options following the diagnosis
of a fetal anomaly include termination of the affected pregnancy,
as well as continuing with the pregnancy, while preparing for
the birth of a child with special needs. Information on the first
option as opposed to the second option is more often given, although
it is not always provided either in writing or orally [Loeben
et al., 1998; Marteau et al., 1994; Bernhardt et al., 1998]. Information
is less often given about the impact of living with a child with
a disability, including the educational and medical support that
is available, and the likely impact of such a choice upon family
life. Evidence-based information that prospective parents would
find useful is most likely that which is gathered from multiple
sources [Holmes-Rovner et al., 2001].
III Media for providing information
Information can be presented using one or more media. Most often
it is presented in writing and orally, by health professionals
providing prenatal care.
(a) written information
Written information about prenatal tests varies widely in length,
areas covered and the ways in which the information is framed.
For example, Murray et al (2001) examined the extent to which
81 leaflets used in British screening programs met criteria for
good quality leaflets. Overall, the quality of the leaflets was
judged to be poor. In terms of factual content, only 11 (14%)
included information on all recommended eight items recommended
by a professional body [RCOG, 1993]. In a quantitative analysis
of 28 leaflets produced for US and UK cystic fibrosis carrier
testing screening programs, the amount of information provided
ranged from 1 to 37 statements (median=6.5), with most statements
being classified as neutral and only a minority conveying a positive
or negative image of the condition [Loeben et al, 1998]. Positive
statements were less common in UK leaflets, commercially produced
leaflets and leaflets describing prenatal carrier testing. The
impact of such variations upon uptake of tests has not been described.
Evidence to suggest that the impact of leaflets is likely to be
quite small, compared with the impact of orally presented information
or the way services are delivered, comes from a study in which
uptake of prenatal screening in 14 hospitals using the same leaflet
was more varied than uptake across nine hospitals using different
leaflets [Dormandy et al., in press].
(b) orally presented information
Observational studies of health professionals presenting prenatal
tests to women attest to the complexities facing health professionals
in communicating with women with diverse needs (Rapp, 1988). Interview
studies with women suggest that their attitudes towards undergoing
tests are shaped in various ways by these health professionals
(Press & Browner, 1997).
Tape-recordings of consultations both in the US and the UK in
which prenatal screening tests are being presented reveal that
the information provided is insufficient for informed decision-making,
providing too little information, which is occasionally misleading
or inaccurate [Marteau et al., 1992; Bernhardt et al., 1998].
Several factors could explain this. First, health professionals
themselves sometimes don't have sufficient knowledge about the
tests [Smith et al., 1994(b); Sadler, 1997]. Second, they can
lack even basic counseling skills needed to present information
in a way that makes it understandable [Smith et al., 1995]. Third,
they may lack the time to present the information [Green, 1994].
More generally, the lack of high quality information provided
at many centers may reflect negative attitudes towards providing
such information [Green, 1994; Khalid et al., 1994]. Understanding
more about such attitudes could prove an important step in increasing
the quality of information women receive from their health care
providers.
Brief training can improve both health professionals' knowledge
and their skills at providing information [Smith et al., 1995].
However, participation in this trial was low, with only 69% of
midwives and obstetricians approached to participate in the study
accepting, with those accepting holding more positive attitudes
towards such training than those who declined. Of those who did
accept, only 40% completed the training and evaluation. Of more
concern is the fact that those who completed the trial, compared
with those who dropped out, had better baseline communication
skills and provided more information to patients, suggesting that
those most in need of training are those less likely to avail
themselves of it [Michie and Marteau, 1999]. This suggests the
need for mandatory training programs. In addition, such training
should form an integral part of medical and nursing training,
as well as the training of genetic counselors.
(c) other media for communicating information
Two studies have evaluated the effectiveness of videos in providing
information. One found an increase in knowledge [Hewison et al.,
2001]; the other did not [Michie et al., 1997]. There is increasing
interest in the use of more interactive media. While interactive
media have been found to be effective in facilitating informed
decision-making for other screening tests [O'Connor et al., 1999],
the one trial of their use for prenatal screening did not find
an advantage over a well written leaflet [Graham et al., 2000].
As web-based decision aids continue to develop it seems likely
that the provision of information tailored to a woman's needs
will prove a sensitive and effective way of informing her. Mindful
of the "digital divide" it will be important that such
facilities are available in health care settings to ensure that
health discrepancies are not enhanced further by making high quality
information available using media unavailable to poorer women.
IV Service delivery
Given that an informed choice is one that reflects a woman's own
values, research is needed to determine the ways of presenting
tests that enable choice to reflect a woman's values. For example,
more women undergo tests when they are presented as part of a
routine visit, not requiring a separate visit [Lorenz et al.,
1985; Bekker et al., 1993; Dormandy et al., 2002; Tambor et al.,
1994.]. It is unclear which system of offering tests results in
choices that most reflect women's values. Other aspects of service
delivery that may affect the extent to which choices women make
are informed is the amount of time health professionals have to
present these choices. Only by using a valid measure of informed
choice that assesses both knowledge and women's values [eg Marteau
et al., 2002] can we ascertain the extent to which different characteristics
of service delivery impede or facilitate the making of an informed
choice. Given the very large effect service delivery can have
on use of testing [Bekker et al., 1993; Tambor et al., 1994],
this research question should assume some urgency.
V Decisions after the diagnosis of a fetal anomaly
In contrast to the great volume of research on women's decisions
about prenatal testing, there is a dearth of research on women's
decisions following the diagnosis of a fetal anomaly. Consequently,
little is known about how best to facilitate women's decision
making after the diagnosis of a fetal anomaly. There are many
barriers to conducting research on this. The numbers of women
affected are small, making large multicentered studies a requirement
to ask even the most simple, descriptive questions. The diagnosis
of a fetal anomaly is invariably a distressing event for women
and for their providers, making it difficult to seek consent to
participate in research. Creative ways are needed of overcoming
these and other barriers to research aimed at determining how
best to facilitate informed choices after the diagnosis of a fetal
anomaly. Research approaches that merit attention include the
use of simulated patients, to study health professionals' counseling,
as well as prospective single case studies, to study long term
adjustment to the decisions made.
Both the information women receive as well as the emotional and
decisional support provided are important [Biesecker, 2001]. The
results from a small study, in which health professionals described
the information they had recently given parents following the
diagnosis of a sex chromosome anomaly, suggest that some parents
are being given inadequate and incorrect information on which
to base their decisions about whether to continue with the affected
pregnancy [Abramsky et al., 2001]. The absence of other studies
in this area make it difficult to estimate the scale of this problem.
As well as giving accurate information, it is important that
health professionals provide counseling that facilitates informed
choices without being directive. While the great majority of women
in a recent study reported not being influenced by health professionals
in deciding whether or not to continue with an affected pregnancy
[Statham and Solmou, 1998], findings from several observational
studies suggest otherwise. Three studies show parents are more
likely to terminate pregnancies affected by a sex chromosome anomaly
when counseled by an obstetrician than by a geneticist or a specialist
pediatrician [Holmes-Siedle et al., 1987; Robinson et al., 1989;
Marteau et al., submitted]. Such findings reflect evidence from
several other studies suggesting that the counseling provided
by geneticists tends to be more positive and less directive than
that provided by other health professionals [Geller et al., 1993;
Marteau et al., 1994]. It is possible that the influence of health
professionals on decisions after the diagnosis of a fetal anomaly
varies across conditions, exerting a stronger influence with less
familiar and less severe conditions. While these cross-sectional
data suggest counseling may be influencing decisions, prospective
study designs are needed to confirm this. Such studies need to
identify aspects of counseling that facilitate and those that
impede informed choices following the diagnosis of a fetal anomaly.
While there is a consensus that directive counseling is undesirable,
there is less consensus on what constitutes the elements of counseling
that are desirable, that is, facilitate informed choices.
Until such time as there is evidence concerning the most effective
ways of presenting information and providing decisional and emotional
support to facilitate informed choices, it may be useful for guidelines
to be generated, using consensus development methods [Black et
al., 1999]. Alongside health professionals, it would be important
that participants include parents of affected children and parents
who opted to terminate an affected pregnancy. It would also be
important to include, where possible, adults with the condition,
given the differences between their views and those of parents
with affected children [Conway et al., 1994; Henneman et al.,
2001]. The output of such a process would provide an important
framework within which counselors could operate. It should not,
however, be construed as a straightjacket or a unitary model for
counseling. The strength of all counseling lies in the ability
of the counselor to establish a warm, empathic relationship within
which the needs of the counselee take center stage.
Concluding Comments
There is now good evidence attesting to the variable and sometimes
poor information and support given to women offered and undergoing
prenatal tests. Enough is known to set basic quality standards
that all centers offering prenatal testing should reach. Research
now needs to focus upon evaluating different ways of presenting
the same information, and the effectiveness of using different
media and methods of delivering services. Outcomes need to expand
beyond knowledge to incorporate an assessment of women's values
to allow evaluation of the extent to which different ways of presenting
information and tests allow informed choices to be realized. Evidence
is also needed on size of the psychological benefits of choices
that are informed.
There has been little research addressing the extent to which
services meet the needs of the few women in whom a fetal anomaly
is diagnosed. Thirty years after the routine introduction of prenatal
diagnostic tests we remain unaware of how women are counseled,
the information and support they receive, and how this affects
the quality and type of decisions they make. There is an urgent
need to fill this gap as a first step towards providing the counseling
known to facilitate the best outcomes for women facing such difficult
decisions.
Laboratories are required to adhere to quality standards in the
conduct of their tests. No such required quality standards exist
for the provision of information about such tests. If we value
women's ability to make informed choices about prenatal tests
as highly as we value reliable laboratory tests, evidence-based
quality standards need to be developed for the information women
are given at all stages of the process of prenatal testing. This
should be a long term objective for this area.
Acknowledgement
Theresa Marteau and Elizabeth Dormandy are funded by The Wellcome
Trust.
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This article has been reprinted from the American Journal
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