Authors' objectives:

This publication reports the results of a large scale evaluation of a series of patient information leaflets used to promote informed choice during pregnancy and childbirth.

Authors' recommendations: The leaflets, originally produced by the Midwives Information and Resource Service (MIDIRS) together with the NHS CRD, have been in use throughout the UK since 1996, and this study was commissioned to assess their effectiveness in promoting informed choice. The research found that whilst nearly all of the women who received each leaflet reported that it was helpful or very helpful, there was no evidence that the leaflets were effective in increasing the proportion of women who reported having exercised informed choice. The report outlines several reasons why the leaflets did not promote informed decision making including: - The lack of a coherent strategy for leaflet distribution or for the promotion of informed decision making. - A number of working practices hindered the distribution of leaflets and rendered them invisible to most women. - 'Informed choice' was simply equated with having the leaflets. - Different, and often incompatible understandings of the concept of informed choice were articulated by midwives, childbearing women and obstetricians. In all the units researched, midwives articulated a strong commitment to giving information but opportunities were rarely maximised. Organisational imperatives within the maternity care system restricted opportunities for decision making and usually resulted in women's compliance with 'right' choices that mirrored normal patterns of care. These assumptions had significant implications for decision making, either masking opportunities for choice or making it difficult for women to challenge practice norms.

Authors' methods: Survey

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/CRD_Reports/crdreport20.pdf

Year Published: 2001

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: University of York

Contact Address: University of York, York, Y01 5DD, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 1904 321040, Fax: +44 1904 321041,

Contact Name: crd@york.ac.uk

Contact Email: crd@york.ac.uk

Copyright: Centre for Reviews and Dissemination