Considerations Pregnant Women Take Into Account When Deciding

to Participate in Research – the MAMMI Study

(Maternal health And Maternal Morbidity in Ireland)

Rebekah Maguire, Paula Mayock, Deirdre Daly, Cecily Begley, Mike Clarke

Overview of Presentation

Background to MAMMI Study

Background to Present Study

Aims and Objectives

Methodology

Research Findings

Conclusions

1. Background to MAMMI Study

The MAMMI Study◦Maternal health And Maternal Morbidity

in Ireland◦Deirdre Daly, Cecily Begley, Mike Clarke

AimObjectivesSampleMethods

2. Background to Present Study

Considerations Pregnant Women Take into Account When Deciding to Participate in research – the MAMMI Study.

Preliminary systematic literature search was conducted to investigate themes for investigating women and their motivations to participate in research whilst pregnant.

Findings from Literature

Main background literature found –Motivations

◦Altruism

◦Contribution to medical knowledge

◦Personal Benefits

Findings from LiteratureBarriers

◦Personal Questions

◦Timing once baby arrives

The Therapeutic Misconception

◦Informed Consent

3. Study Aims

Overall Objective:To ascertain women’s

motivations on participating in research whilst pregnant

Objectives/Research Questions

What are women’s motivations to participate in research whilst pregnant?

Are there any potential barriers for women to participate in research whilst pregnant?

What are the attitudes and perspectives of women toward the issue of the research process and their understanding of it?

4. MethodologyQualitative Telephone

InterviewingInterviews semi structured with

an interview schedule10 - 20 minutes maximum

SampleWomen who are participating in the

MAMMI study who have agreed to participate in research related to this topic

◦Consent form

Purposive sample due to this consent

Sample of 10 women◦ Participant Profile

5. Research Findings - MotivationsAltrusim

◦Helping others“Em. . . I suppose just if someone else can be helped, and it’s something that I’ve experienced and went through, sure why not. (ID006)”

◦Helping future mothers“Eh, I don’t know if it’s of benefit to me, but maybe for other mothers, when their time comes, hopefully something good will come of it and it will help somebody, somewhere (ID006)”

Research Findings - Motivations

Contribution to Medical Knowledge

◦Improvement of Care“It is important to understand that you guys have to have this information to improve services and improve facilities’(ID003)”.

◦Improvement of Knowledge

“And the knowledge as well for academic stuff, I think that’s good as well. I think that any research into any area, knowledge, or any subject, I think that is good. I think that to take time and to give feedback is important... (ID007)”

Research Findings - Motivations

Personal Gain/Benefit

◦ Learning about Pregnancy Health

“Em, I suppose, well even a lot of the questions I wouldn’t have thought about it being about my own health to the forefront, to be kinda more conscious of it (ID004)”

◦ Concept of a “Personal” Midwife

“Eh (pause) the benefits of participating? Well I suppose, the main benefit was that I actually for to talk to, eh, you know, a really qualified midwife and any questions I did have in relation to my own experience, you know during my pregnancy and after, that was a huge benefit (ID008)”

Research Findings - BarriersTiming

“Well I’m not sure, you know about the overall, eh, you know, how my answers influence the overall study, but I was filling out the survey last when I was [number of] weeks pregnant and I think that some of the questions that are answered, about some syndromes during pregnancy, my answers might be different now. . . (ID001)”

Timing once the baby arrives

“I don’t know to be honest with you (laughs). Em, I really don’t know, I don’t know how that will work so, em’. . .(ID002)”

Research Findings - BarriersPersonal Questions

“I suppose in hindsight, I was thinking that some of the questions were quite, eh, I would be generally a fairly private person so a few of the questions were a little bit, eh, you know, intrusive, you know like, asking about your sex life and things like that so that would have been something that I wouldn’t really be open to discuss it or filling out the form (ID008)”

“Some of the questions I just thought were a little bit strange, but most of it was fine (ID006)”

Research Findings – Informed ConsentConfidentiality

“I think that was the main thing, how private it was going to go, but I guess my details aren’t going to be made public in the study, so once I knew that, I was happy enough (ID005)”

“No, I trust that it is confidential and the details will be done I think, you know. And that this journal will have limited access, my name won’t be used in any of the publications, so that is good (ID001)”

Research Findings – Informed ConsentThe meaning of the study

“Eh, well from what I got from talking to the midwife and from reading the information that was given, it was just all about first time mothers, the care they get and then, maybe sometimes the problems that you go through (ID006)”

“I guess to a certain extent, yes, but I don’t know what they are trying to achieve from the overall study, what the results, what they are looking for, I guess It’s to see how first time mothers cope with motherhood and on from there, kind of, but, eh, so, kind of a yes and no answer (ID005)”

Research Findings – Informed Consent

“Em, well not really. . . Well I sort of but I sort of don’t fully understand where the, where it’s going to go from there. It’s going to help other pregnant women and understand the health, so ye, I really would ye (ID004)”

6. ConclusionsMotivations

◦Interrelated◦Added Benefits◦“Personal” Midwife

Barriers◦Issue of Personal Questions◦Positive Attitudes to Timing

ConclusionsInformed Consent

◦Mixed Responses◦Therapeutic Misconception

Recommendations◦Methodology◦Role of Researcher

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Thank you!