Decision to Transfer: risk assessment and decision-making in labour in remote and rural settings
Funding: CSO Project no. CZH/4/417
Investigators: Cheyne H1, Dalgleish K1, Niven C1, Tucker J2, Shetty A3
Summary
Judgements and decisions made by health care providers about transfer of women in labour between community maternity units and consultant led care are of central importance to provision of local maternity services in remote and rural areas. However, there is currently little research on the factors underpinning this process.
Aim: To examine risk assessment and decision making in relation to intrapartum transfer in remote and rural areas
Design: a two stage study implementing an innovative model of judgement and decision making which has been successfully utilised in other fields.
Stages:
1. Interviews will be conducted with midwives from midwife-managed units and obstetricians using the Critical Incident Technique.
2. Midwives and obstetricians will complete vignettes and questionnaires.
The study will: identify factors underpinning the decision to transfer and individual thresholds for action; investigate the effect of individual difference variables; type of unit; transfer rate and distance-to-acute-service-provision on judgement and decision making performance.
1 University of Stirling
2 University of Aberdeen
3 NHS Grampian