Exploring Parents' Values in Healthcare Decision‐Making for Rare Genetic Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Qualitative Study to Inform Guideline Development
Mirthe J. Klein Haneveld, Louise Cox, Petri J. C. M. Embregts, Alistair R. Niemeijer, Martina C. Cornel, Charlotte M. W. Gaasterland, Agnies M. van EeghenABSTRACT
Background
Healthcare decision‐making for individuals with rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders associated with intellectual disabilities can be complex and value‐laden, in which parents often play a central role. To ensure that clinical practice guideline recommendations align with the perspectives of parents, it is essential to incorporate their values into the GRADE Evidence‐to‐Decision framework used in guideline development.
Methods
The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the values of parents of individuals with rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders in healthcare decision‐making. We explored what mattered to parents in relation to healthcare decisions and in the process of healthcare decision‐making. Eighteen parents of individuals with 15 (ultra)rare genetic conditions participated in semi‐structured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to generate themes from the data.
Results
Important values for making healthcare decisions were proportionality , considering balancing harms against the need to treat and feasibility for the family, and equality , with a need for inclusive, accessible and continuous healthcare. The process of decision‐making in healthcare was described as a collaborative effort, in which acknowledging parental knowledge and respecting and supporting autonomy were important themes.
Conclusions
The findings support the applicability of the Evidence‐to‐Decision framework to guideline development for rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders, as proportionality and equality are reflected in its criteria. Implications for practice include explicit attention to family‐level impacts and incorporating lived experience of parents to inform value judgements. Healthcare decision‐making was described as a collaborative process, with a need for support and space for parents to clarify and communicate their values.