Clinical Research Directory

Participants will view a Decision Aid (delivered as an app) that provides them with information regarding congenital heart disease, as described in the literature. The DA is tailored to the specific diagnosis of the fetus/neonate, so that participants are only viewing information about their baby's specific CHD diagnosis (and not other types of CHD). This is shown using videos and diagrams to clearly explain the defect, what their treatment options are (surgical intervention, comfort care, or termination), and personal stories from other parents who have dealt with the same diagnosis before (including both positive and negative outcomes). The DA was developed according to the International Patient Decision Aid Standards (see http://ipdas.ohri.ca/) (IRS# 14-13332).

The Values Clarification Exercise is a process that aids patients in clarifying their values and goals to improve alignment of their preferences with their chosen treatment. It was developed according to the International Patient Decision Aid Standards. It includes ten values that were chosen based on feedback from the parent investigators and clinicians. The ten values are: 1) discomfort to the child, 2) time in the hospital, 3) risk that the child will have impairments, 4) need to provide home medical care, 5) chronic medical care/decisions, 6) financial issues, 7) life in adulthood, 8) impact on the family, 9) beliefs about doing everything medically possible, \& 10) life expectancy. Each value has a sliding scale where the user can compare 2 treatment options at a time. They are asked which described situation feels better for them and their family.