Assessment of parental decision making in congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy and heart transplantation: an observational study analysing decisional characteristics and preferences

Objective We explore shared decision making (DM) in guardians of children with heart disease by assessing the desired weight of influence on DM and factors that may alter the relative weight of parent or medical team influence. Methods Guardians of patients <21 years and admitted >1 week in the paediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU) were recruited. Twelve vignettes were designed including technical (antibiotic selection, intubation, peripherally inserted central catheter placement, ventricular assist device placement, heart transplant, organ rejection, heart rhythm abnormalities and resuscitation effort) and non-technical vignettes (cessation of life-sustaining therapies, depression treatment, obesity and palliative care referral). Participants responded to questions on DM characteristics and one question querying preference for relative weight of parent or medical team influence on DM. Results Of 209 participants approached, 183 were included. Most responded with equal desire of medical team and parental influence on DM in all vignettes (range 41.0%–66.7%). Technical scenarios formed one cluster based on DM characteristics, compared with non-technical scenarios. Factors that increase the relative weight of parental influence on DM include desired input and involvement in big-picture goals (OR 0.274, CI [0.217 to 0.346]; OR 0.794, CI [0.640 to 0.986]). Factors that increase the relative weight of medical team influence on DM include perception of medical expertise needed (OR 1.949 [1.630 to 2.330]), urgency (OR 1.373 [1.138 to 1.658]), benefit (OR 1.415 [1.172 to 1.710]), number of PCICU admissions (OR 1.134 [1.024 to 1.256]) and private insurance (OR 1.921 [1.144 to 3.226]). Conclusion Although factors may alter the weight of influence on DM, most parents desire equal parental and medical team influence on DM.