1. Choice and Trade-offs: Parent Decision Making for Neurotechnologies for Pediatric Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
- Author
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Hrincu, Viorica, McDonald, Patrick J, Connolly, Mary B, Harrison, Mark J, Ibrahim, George M, Naftel, Robert P, Chiong, Winston, Alam, Armaghan, Ribary, Urs, and Illes, Judy
- Subjects
Biomedical and Clinical Sciences ,Neurosciences ,Clinical Sciences ,Brain Disorders ,Behavioral and Social Science ,Clinical Research ,Pediatric ,Neurodegenerative ,Epilepsy ,Adolescent ,Adult ,Canada ,Caregivers ,Child ,Child ,Preschool ,Decision Making ,Drug Resistant Epilepsy ,Electric Stimulation Therapy ,Female ,Focus Groups ,Humans ,Laser Therapy ,Male ,Middle Aged ,Parents ,Patient Acceptance of Health Care ,Qualitative Research ,Radiosurgery ,United States ,Young Adult ,epilepsy ,child ,neurotechnology ,neuroethics ,neurosurgery ,decision making ,parents ,Cognitive Sciences ,Neurology & Neurosurgery ,Clinical sciences - Abstract
This qualitative study investigated factors that guide caregiver decision making and ethical trade-offs for advanced neurotechnologies used to treat children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Caregivers with affected children were recruited to semi-structured focus groups or interviews at one of 4 major epilepsy centers in Eastern and Western Canada and the USA (n = 22). Discussions were transcribed and qualitative analytic methods applied to examine values and priorities (eg, risks, benefits, adherence, invasiveness, reversibility) of caregivers pertaining to novel technologies to treat drug-resistant epilepsy. Discussions revealed 3 major thematic branches for decision making: (1) features of the intervention-risks and benefits, with an emphasis on an aversion to perceived invasiveness; (2) decision drivers-trust in the clinical team, treatment costs; and (3) quality of available information about neurotechnological options. Overall, caregivers' definition of treatment success is more expansive than seizure freedom. The full involvement of their values and priorities must be considered in the decision-making process.
- Published
- 2021