Educational Needs Assessment of Fetal Therapy Board Members
Saturday, September 21, 2024
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM CT
Location: Grand Ballroom C (First Floor)
Abstract: Background: As fetal therapy centers rapidly develop and questions arise regarding the line between research and innovation, multidisciplinary ethical oversight is necessary to provide well-informed recommendations on proposed innovative fetal therapy interventions. However, evidence-based research on the educational on-boarding needs for such oversight groups is lacking. Objective: 1) to determine the efficacy of on-boarding training for new Fetal Therapy Board members, which included review of selected articles (e.g., maternal-fetal decision making, ethics of fetal interventions), and participation in a novel mock consultation, and 2) to identify gaps in knowledge and/or skills critical for effective member participation and function of the group. Methods: A newly developed, multidisciplinary and interprofessional Fetal Therapy Board completed the on-boarding education. Members were asked to complete a voluntary survey via REDCap to assess self-reported knowledge and comfort level regarding fetal therapy knowledge, ethical reasoning, and communication skills. Multivariable regression models and qualitative data were analyzed to identify educational gaps. Results: 15 of 30 questionnaires were completed by members with varying ethics and clinical experience/expertise. 60% of respondents found the educational on-boarding “quite” or “extremely” helpful. Statistically significant associations between the importance of onboarding education and comfort with various tasks were found for weighing potential benefits and risks, and understanding the ethical context of fetal therapy cases. This research indicated needs for additional member education on health law, maternal-fetal decision-making, equitable access to fetal interventions, and providing dissenting perspectives. Conclusion: On-boarding and ongoing education should be assessed and tailored to fetal therapy board membership composition and needs.
Learning Objectives:
After participating in this conference, attendees should be able to:
Describe the need for maternal-fetal care centers to develop multidisciplinary oversight committees to navigate the ethics of fetal therapy innovation and research.
Summarize an approach to developing and educating a multidisciplinary fetal therapy oversight committee, including on-boarding resources for members with varying experience/education in fetal therapy interventions and ethics.
Christy Cummings, MD, HEC-C – Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatrics: Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital; Harvard Medical School; David Williams, PhD – Senior Biostatistician, Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children's Hospital
