Choice and Trade-offs: Parent Decision Making for Neurotechnologies for Pediatric Drug-Resistant Epilepsy. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hrincu, Viorica; McDonald, Patrick J.; Connolly, Mary B.; Harrison, Mark J.; Ibrahim, George M.; Naftel, Robert P.; Chiong, Winston; Alam, Armaghan; Ribary, Urs; Illes, Judy
• Is Part Of: Journal of child neurology. Volume 36:Number 11(2021)
• Page Start: 943
• Page End: 949
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: epilepsy -- child -- neurotechnology -- neuroethics -- neurosurgery -- decision making -- parents; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.928
• DOI: 10.1177/08830738211015010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-0738

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.