Cyclic workflow to improve implementation of learning points from morbidity and mortality meetings.

BACKGROUND: Morbidity and mortality meetings (M&MMs) are organized in most hospital departments with an educational purpose to learn from adverse events (AEs) to improve patient care. M&MMs often lack effectiveness due to unsuccessful systematic follow-up of areas of improvement. This can have an effect on improving patient safety and care. Therefore, a new strategy that focuses on implementing areas of improvement into daily practice is necessary. The study aim is to see if we could improve the implementation of meeting outcomes from the M&MM by using a cyclic workflow, and which factors are important to achieve its implementation. METHODS: This prospective study took place at the department of gynecologic oncology of a university hospital. Research was conducted with a participatory action research (PAR) approach using 10 consecutive M&MMs in 2019 and 2020. The cyclical workflow consisted of an action list based on the PDCA-cycle, a check of the implementation of areas for improvement at the next M&MM and regular monitoring of tasks. Each M&MM was observed and each professional with an assigned task was interviewed and gave their informed consent. Thematic content analysis was performed with the program Atlas.ti 8.4.20. RESULTS: Out of the 39 tasks that resulted from 10 M&MMs, 37 (94.8%) followed all the steps in the PDCA-cycle and were implemented. In total, 16 interviews were conducted with consultants, nurses, registrars and residents. Five main factors were important to achieve follow-up of areas for improvement: organizational culture, motivation, commitment, communication to mobilize employees and skills. Repetition of the cyclic workflow at the M&MM and an external person who reminded professionals of their assigned task(s) was important to change habits and motivate professionals. CONCLUSION: Cyclical tools can support the implementation of areas for improvement to optimize the M&MM. A M&MM with an organizational culture where attendees can discuss openly and freely may motivate attendees to take on tasks successfully. A positive stimulant to reach commitment of professionals is team participation. Integrating new habits of reflection may lead to a deeper level of learning from the PDCA-cycle and of the M&MM. Creating a learning environment outside of the M&MM may support professionals to take on actions and engage in improvement practices. Future research may focus on including a comparative analysis to show a success rate of the implementation of learning points from the M&MM more clearly.

The effect of opportunistic salpingectomy for primary prevention of ovarian cancer on ovarian reserve: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Opportunistic salpingectomy (OS) is an attractive method for primary prevention of ovarian cancer. Although OS has not been associated with a higher complication rate, it may be associated with earlier onset of menopause. OBJECTIVE: To provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of OS on both age at menopause and ovarian reserve. METHODS: A search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, Embase and MEDLINE databases from inception until March 2022. We included randomized clinical trials and cohort studies investigating the effect of OS on onset of menopause and/or ovarian reserve through change in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Data was extracted independently by two researchers. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate the pooled effect of OS on ovarian reserve. RESULTS: The initial search yielded 1047 studies. No studies were found investigating the effect of OS on age of menopause. Fifteen studies were included in the meta-analysis on ovarian reserve. Meta-analyses did not result in statistically significant differences in mean change in AMH (MD -0.07 ng/ml, 95%CI -0.18;0.05), AFC (MD 0.20 n, 95 % CI -4.91;5.30), E2 (MD 3.97 pg/ml, 95%CI -0.92;8.86), FSH (MD 0.33mIU/ml, 95%CI -0.15;0.81) and LH (MD 0.03mIU/ml; 95%CI -0.47;0.53). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that OS does not result in a significant reduction of ovarian reserve in the short term. Further research is essential to confirm the absence of major effects of OS on menopausal onset since clear evidence on this subject is lacking. Registration number PROSPERO CRD42021260966.

Adherence to guideline-based quality indicators in early pregnancy care in hospitals with and without an early pregnancy assessment unit.

RESEARCH QUESTION: How do hospitals with and without an early pregnancy assessment unit (EPAU) adhere to guideline-based quality indicators for an EPAU relating to logistics, access to services and quality of early pregnancy care? DESIGN: A qualitative interview study assessing the adherence to 19 quality indicators in four hospitals with an EPAU and four hospitals without an EPAU in the Netherlands. For each quality indicator, a ratio for guideline adherence was calculated. Overall non-adherence per hospital was defined as less than 100% adherence to the 19 quality indicators. RESULTS: Non-adherence was seen in three indicators (3/19 [16%]) for hospitals with an EPAU and in five indicators (5/19 [26%]) for hospitals without an EPAU. A standard digital system for the registration of ultrasound findings and clear explanation of all treatment options was present in all hospitals with an EPAU and in three hospitals without an EPAU. Certified ultrasound training for working staff members was absent in all hospitals. A discrete waiting area was present in one hospital with an EPAU compared with none of the hospitals without an EPAU. Self-referrals from women with a previous ectopic pregnancy was accepted in one hospital with and in one hospital without an EPAU. CONCLUSIONS: Non-adherence to guideline-based quality indicators for an EPAU was about the same for hospitals with and without an EPAU in the Netherlands.

Disclosing Adverse Events in Clinical Practice: The Delicate Act of Being Open.

Practicing a "safe" disclosure of adverse events remains challenging for healthcare professionals. In addition, knowledge on how to deliver a disclosure is still limited. This review focuses on how disclosure communication may be practiced based on the perspectives of patients and healthcare professionals. Empirical studies conducted between September 2008 and October 2019 were included from the databases PubMed, Web of Science and Psychinfo. After full text analysis and quality appraisal this scoping review included a total of 23 studies out of 2537 studies. As a first step, the needs of patients and the challenges of healthcare professionals with the practice of providing an effective disclosure were extracted from the empirical literature. Based on these findings, the review demonstrates that specific disclosure communication strategies on the level of interpersonal skills, organization, and supportive factors may facilitate healthcare professionals to provide optimal disclosure of adverse events. These may be relevant to provide patients with a tailored approach that accompanies their preferences for information and recognition. In conclusion, healthcare professionals may need training in interpersonal (verbal and nonverbal) communication skills. Furthermore, it is important to develop an open (organizational) culture that supports the communication of adverse events and disclosure as a standard practice.

Openness to new perspectives created by patient participation at the morbidity and mortality meeting.

OBJECTIVES: Morbidity and mortality meetings (M&MMs) at surgical departments may improve when patients participate, leading to different learning points. A gynecological oncology department invited patients to join their M&MMs. The practical constraints and experiences important from the perspective of patients and their healthcare professionals were evaluated. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients and professionals who attended M&MMs at a gynecological oncology department between 2016 and 2018. The interviews were transcribed and coded and thematic content analysis was performed. RESULTS: Eight patients and 17 healthcare professionals participated. Eleven themes related to interpersonal dynamics. The five shared themes are: patient-doctor relationship, language, openness of communication, learning and personal impact. All participants suggested maintaining the new practical design of the M&MMs. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and healthcare professionals valued patient participation in the M&MMs. Patient participation is possible when professionals are open to discussing and learning from adverse events (AEs). In this setting, patients feel that they are taken seriously and gain a better understanding of the course of an AE. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Involving patients in M&MMs led to new insights, better understanding, and improved processing of AEs. Collaborating with patients and using their feedback seems to be effective when developing innovations in healthcare.

Fertility navigators in female oncofertility care in an academic medical center: a qualitative evaluation.

PURPOSE: To explore patients' and professionals' experiences with fertility navigators in female oncofertility care. METHODS: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with nine female cancer patients and six healthcare professionals to explore their experiences. They were recruited from an academic medical center (referral clinic for female fertility preservation care). Data were analyzed using the concepts of grounded theory. RESULTS: Patients were satisfied about the supportive role of the fertility navigator in their fertility preservation process: fertility navigators added value as they became "familiar faces" and provided information, emotional support, personal care, and served as patients' primary contact person. The fertility navigators had a pleasant collaboration with professionals and supported professionals by taking over tasks. To improve the role of fertility navigators, it was suggested that they should always be present in fertility preservation counseling, and attention should be paid to their availability to improve continuity of care. CONCLUSION: Fertility navigators provide personal care, improve satisfaction in patients in their oncofertility process, and support professionals. The overview of issues that need to be addressed when assigning fertility navigators in female oncofertility care combined with the improvement suggestions could be used by other centers when considering implementing fertility navigators.

Identification of barriers and facilitators in nationwide implementation of standardized structured reporting in pathology: a mixed method study.

Standardized structured reporting (SSR) enables high-quality pathology reporting, but implementing SSR is slow. The objective of this study is to identify both barriers and facilitators that pathologists encounter in SSR, in order to develop tailored implementation tools to increase SSR usage. We used a mixed method design: a focus group interview helped to identify barriers and facilitators in SSR. The findings were classified into the following domains: innovation, individual professional, social setting, organization, and economic and political context. We used a web-based survey among Dutch pathologists to quantify the findings. Ten pathologists participated in the focus group interview, and 97 pathologists completed the survey. The results of both showed that pathologists perceive barriers related to SSR itself. Particularly its incompatibility caused lack of nuance (73%, n = 97) in the standardized structured pathology report. Regarding the individual professional, knowledge about available SSR-templates was lacking (28%, n = 97), and only 44% (n = 94) of the respondents agreed that using SSR facilitates the most accurate diagnosis. Related to social setting, support from the multidisciplinary team members was lacking (45%, n = 94). At organization level, SSR leads to extra work (52%, n = 94) because of its incompatibility with other information systems (38%, n = 93). Main facilitators of SSR were incorporation of speech recognition (54%, n = 94) and improvement in communication during multidisciplinary team meetings (69%, n = 94). Both barriers and facilitators existed in various domains. These factors can be used to develop implementation tools to encourage SSR usage.

Professionals' barriers in female oncofertility care and strategies for improvement.

STUDY QUESTION: What are healthcare professionals' barriers and strategies for improvement in female oncofertility care? SUMMARY ANSWER: Professionals perceived barriers in knowledge, attitude and organization of oncofertility care and suggested strategies to improve oncofertility care. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The potential loss of fertility is one of the most important undesirable side effects of cancer treatment in women of reproductive age. Unfortunately, despite guideline recommendations, not all patients are informed about their fertility risks and referred for fertility preservation (FP) counselling. Insight into barriers for discussing FP and appropriate referral is necessary before improvements can be made. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: The aim of this was study was to identify barriers and gather improvement suggestions through semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted with 24 professionals working in oncofertility care. Subsequently, an expert panel meeting was held to reach consensus on a set of improvement strategies. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Oncological professionals were recruited from the three Dutch expertise hospitals for female FP and their affiliated hospitals. The expert panel consisted of six healthcare professionals, five survivors and two researchers. In the Dutch setting, financial aspects do not play a role in oncofertility care. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Barriers were identified and categorized into the patient level (e.g. focus on surviving cancer), the professional level (e.g. lack of awareness, knowledge, time, and attitude), or the organizational level (e.g. unavailable written information, disagreement on who is responsible for discussing infertility risks). The expert panel reached consensus on essential elements for a multifaceted improvement programme: development of information materials (leaflets, online decision aid), education of professionals, a role for specialized oncology nurses in informing patients and patient navigators at the fertility department to facilitate referral and counselling, medical record reminders, standard consultations with a gynaecologist and agreement on responsibility. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Selection bias could have occurred because it is likely that only professionals with interest in oncofertility care participated. However, this would mean that the barriers were underestimated. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study forms the basis for the development of a multifaceted oncofertility programme, which is essential to increase adherence to the national clinical guideline. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This work was supported by the Radboud university medical center. The authors have declared no competing interests. Prof. Dr Braat reports unrestricted grants from Ferring BV, Serono and Goodlife, outside the submitted work. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Review: Effectiveness of implementation strategies to increase physical activity uptake during and after cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this review was to assess the effectiveness of different strategies to implement physical activity during and after cancer treatment. DESIGN: We searched for studies containing strategies to implement physical activity in cancer care that meet the inclusion criteria of the Cochrane EPOC group. The primary outcome was physical activity uptake. We expressed the effectiveness of the strategies as the percentage of studies with improvement. RESULTS: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Patient groups doing physical activities via an implementation strategy had better outcomes than those receiving usual care: 83% of the studies showed improvement. Strategies showing significant improvement compared to usual care employed healthcare professionals to provide individual counselling or advice for exercise or interactive elements such as audit and feedback systems. When comparing the different strategies 1) interactive elements or 2) elements tailored to the needs of the patients had better physical activity uptake. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation strategies containing individual and interactive elements, tailored to the individual needs of patients, are more successful in improving physical activity uptake.

Needs and preferences of patients with head and neck cancer in integrated care.

OBJECTIVES: Incorporation of patients' perspectives in daily practice is necessary to adapt care to users' needs. However, information on patients' needs and preferences for integrated care is lacking. The aim was to explore these needs and preferences, taking patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) as example, to adapt current integrated care to be more patient-centred. DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews were held with current and former patients and chairmen of patient associations. Relevant needs and preferences were identified and categorised using the eight-dimension Picker model of patient-centred care. SETTING: Integrated HNC in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with HNC and chairmen of two Dutch HNC patient associations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients' needs and preferences of integrated HNC care categorised according the Picker model. RESULTS: A total of 34 themes of needs and preferences were identified, by 14 patients with HNC or their delegates, using the Picker dimensions. Themes often emerged were as follows: personalisation of health care regarding patient values; clear insight into the healthcare process at organisational level; use of personalised communication, education and information that meets patients' requirements; adequate involvement of allied health professionals for physical support; more attention to the impact of HNC and its treatment; adequate involvement of family and friends; adequate general practitioner involvement in the aftercare; and waiting time reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring the identified themes in integrated HNC care, fitting in the Picker model, will enable us to respond better to the needs and preferences of patients, and patient-centred care in oncological care can be enhanced.

General practitioners' adherence to work-up and referral recommendations in fertility care.

STUDY QUESTION: What is the current guideline adherence by general practitioners (GPs) for work-up and subsequent referral from primary to secondary care for patients suffering from infertility? SUMMARY ANSWER: Guideline adherence by GPs concerning infertility was 9.2% in couples referred. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Adherence to recommendations can decrease unnecessary referral, diagnostics and treatments, and consequently result in lower expenditures. Moreover, patients can be saved from unnecessary hospital visits, emotional burden and out of pocket costs. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, AND DURATION: A retrospective cohort study among 306 patients referred for basic fertility work-up between January 2011 and June 2013 from primary care to a secondary care teaching hospital or a tertiary hospital with IVF facilities. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING AND METHODS: Couples were eligible to participate when there was no previous referral for fertility problems and the duration of the child wish was <2 years. Data to assess guideline adherence were collected from the referral letter and the medical records. A patient questionnaire was used to determine patients' general and fertility-related characteristics. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The GP performed a Chlamydia Antibody Titre (CAT) testing and semen analysis as recommended in 15.9% and 42.2% of the referred patients, respectively. According to the guideline, 39% of the couples were under referred (i.e. not immediately referred as recommended), 8.8% were unnecessarily referred and the CAT and semen analysis were unnecessarily repeated in secondary care in 80.0% and 57.1% of cases, respectively. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: We could not include non-referred patients with expectant management in primary care, an unknown number of whom became pregnant in this period. This may have resulted in an underestimation of primary care performance. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our findings show that guideline adherence concerning work-up and subsequent referral for fertility problems is low. The influence of patient demands for referral remains largely unknown. Barriers and facilitators for guideline adherence should be determined to develop interventions to improve guideline adherence in the areas of work-up and referral for fertility care and to diminish duplicate tests in secondary care. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): Funded by CZ, a Dutch healthcare insurer (grant number AFVV 11-232). CZ had no role in designing the study, data collection, analysis and interpretation of data or writing of the report. Competing interests: None. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not applicable.

Quality indicators of integrated care for patients with head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Oncological care is very complex, and delivery of integrated care with optimal alignment and collaboration of several disciplines is crucial. To monitor and effectively improve high-quality integrated oncological care, a dashboard of valid and reliable quality indicators (QIs) is indispensable. The aim was to develop multidisciplinary QIs to measure quality of integrated oncological care, specifically for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. DESIGN: The RAND-modified Delphi method was used to decide on the outcome, process and structure QIs form three different perspectives. In addition, case-mix factors were determined. SETTING: Integrated HNC in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Head and neck cancer patients, chairmen of both patient organisations and medical specialists and allied health professionals involved in HNC care in the Netherlands. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome, process and structure indicators. RESULTS: Outcome indicators were assigned to healthcare status, tumour recurrence, complications, quality of life and patient experiences. The process indicators focused on the (allied health) care aspects during the diagnostic, treatment and follow-up phases, for example regarding waiting times, multidisciplinary team meetings and screening for the need of allied health care. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first set of multidisciplinary QIs for HNC care, to assess quality of integrated care agreed by patients and professionals. This set can be used to build other oncological quality dashboards for integrated care.

Very high uptake of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers: A single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is the only effective surgical strategy to reduce the increased risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Given the long-term health consequences of premature surgical menopause, we need insight in uptake and timing of RRSO to guide us in improving healthcare. METHODS: A single-center retrospective cohort study of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers diagnosed and counseled at the multidisciplinary Family Cancer Clinic of the Radboud university medical center in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, between 1999 and 2014. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze uptake and timing of RRSO. RESULTS: Data of 580 BRCA1/2 were analyzed. The uptake of RRSO among mutation carriers who are currently above the upper limit of the recommended age for RRSO, is 98.5% and 97.5% for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers, respectively. The vast majority undergoes RRSO ≤40 (BRCA1) or ≤45 (BRCA2) years of age, provided that mutation status is known by that age: 90.8% and 97.3% of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The uptake of RRSO among BRCA1/2 mutation carriers who were counseled at our Family Cancer Clinic is extremely high. High uptake might be largely attributed to the directive and uniform way of counseling by professionals at our Family Cancer Clinic. Given the fact that RRSO is often undergone at premenopausal age in our population, future research should focus on minimizing long-term health consequences of premature surgical menopause either by optimization of hormone replacement therapy or by investigating alternative strategies to RRSO.

Trends in quality of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma care: is it getting better?

This study outlines trends in quality of delivered non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) care in the Netherlands between 2007 and 2011 and to what extend this was influenced by the national Visible Care program, which aimed at increasing transparency by providing insight into the quality of healthcare. We analyzed data collected from medical records in two observational studies, combined into 20 validated quality indicators (QIs) of which 6 were included in the national program. A random sample of 771 patients, diagnosed with NHL in 26 Dutch hospitals, was examined. Multilevel regression analyses were used to assess differences in quality of NHL care and to provide insight into the effect of the national program. We reported improved adherence to only 3 out of 6 QIs involved in the national program and none of the other 14 validated QIs. Improvement was shown for performance of all recommended staging techniques (from 26 to 43 %), assessment of International Prognostic Index (from 21 to 43 %), and multidisciplinary discussion of patients (from 23 to 41 %). We found limited improvement in quality of NHL care between 2007 and 2011; improvement potential (<80 % adherence) was still present for 13 QIs. The national program seems to have a small positive effect, but has not influenced all 20 indicators which represent the most important, measurable parts in quality of NHL care. These results illustrate the need for tailored implementation and quality improvement initiatives.

Predicting successful intended vaginal delivery after previous caesarean section: external validation of two predictive models in a Dutch nationwide registration-based cohort with a high intended vaginal delivery rate.

OBJECTIVE: To externally validate two models from the USA (entry-to-care [ETC] and close-to-delivery [CTD]) that predict successful intended vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) for the Dutch population. DESIGN: A nationwide registration-based cohort study. SETTING: Seventeen hospitals in the Netherlands. POPULATION: Seven hundred and sixty-three pregnant women, each with one previous caesarean section and a viable singleton cephalic pregnancy without a contraindication for an intended VBAC. METHODS: The ETC model comprises the variables maternal age, prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, previous vaginal delivery, previous VBAC and previous nonprogressive labour. The CTD model replaces prepregnancy BMI with third-trimester BMI and adds estimated gestational age at delivery, hypertensive disease of pregnancy, cervical examination and induction of labour. We included consecutive medical records of eligible women who delivered in 2010. For validation, individual probabilities of women who had an intended VBAC were calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Discriminative performance was assessed with the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic and predictive performance was assessed with calibration plots and the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) statistic. RESULTS: Five hundred and fifteen (67%) of the 763 women had an intended VBAC; 72% of these (371) had an actual VBAC. The AUCs of the ETC and CTD models were 68% (95% CI 63-72%) and 72% (95% CI 67-76%), respectively. The H-L statistic showed a P-value of 0.167 for the ETC model and P = 0.356 for the CTD model, indicating no lack of fit. CONCLUSION: External validation of two predictive models developed in the USA revealed an adequate performance within the Dutch population.

Delivering high-quality care to patients with a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: barriers perceived by patients and physicians.

BACKGROUND: Despite the presence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) guidelines, there are still gaps between best evidence as described in guidelines and quality of care in daily practice. Little is known about factors that affect this discrepancy. We aim to identify barriers that influence the delivery of care and to explore differences between patients' and physicians' experiences, as well as between the different disciplines involved. METHODS: Patients and physicians involved in NHL care were interviewed about their experiences with NHL care. The barriers identified in these interviews were quantified in a web-based survey. Differences were tested using Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Barriers frequently perceived by patients concerned lack of patient information and emphatic contact (12-43%), long waiting times (19-35%) and lack of guidance and support (39%). Most barriers mentioned by physicians concerned the unavailability of the guideline (32%), lack of an up-to-date guideline (66%), lack of standardised forms for diagnostics (56-70%) and of multidisciplinary meetings (56%). Perceived barriers concerning the guideline and standardised forms significantly varied between the disciplines involved (range 14-84%, p.

Vaginal birth after a caesarean section: the development of a Western European population-based prediction model for deliveries at term.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and internally validate a model that predicts the outcome of an intended vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) for a Western European population that can be used to personalise counselling for deliveries at term. DESIGN: Registration-based retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Five university teaching hospitals, seven non-university teaching hospitals, and five non-university non-teaching hospitals in the Netherlands. POPULATION: A cohort of 515 women with a history of one caesarean section and a viable singleton pregnancy, without a contraindication for intended VBAC, who delivered at term. METHODS: Potential predictors for a vaginal delivery after caesarean section were chosen based on literature and expert opinions. We internally validated the prediction model using bootstrapping techniques. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Predictors for VBAC. For model validation, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for discriminative capacity and calibration-per-risk-quantile for accuracy were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 371 out of 515 women had a VBAC (72%). Variables included in the model were: estimated fetal weight greater than the 90(th) percentile in the third trimester; previous non-progressive labour; previous vaginal delivery; induction of labour; pre-pregnancy body mass index; and ethnicity. The AUC was 71% (95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 69-73%), indicating a good discriminative ability. The calibration plot shows that the predicted probabilities are well calibrated, especially from 65% up, which accounts for 77% of the total study population. CONCLUSION: We developed an appropriate Western European population-based prediction model that is aimed to personalise counselling for term deliveries.

Involving women in personalised decision-making on mode of delivery after caesarean section: the development and pilot testing of a patient decision aid.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a patient decision aid (PtDA) for mode of delivery after caesarean section that integrates personalised prediction of vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) with the elicitation of patient preferences and evidence-based information. DESIGN: A PtDA was developed and pilot tested using the International Patients Decision Aid Standards (IPDAS) criteria. SETTING: Obstetric health care in the Netherlands. POPULATION: A multidisciplinary steering group, an expert panel, and 25 future users of the PtDA, i.e. women with a previous caesarean section. METHODS: The development consisted of a construction phase (definition of scope and purpose, and selection of content, framework, and format) and a pilot testing phase by interview. The process was supervised by a multidisciplinary steering group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Usability, clarity, and relevance. RESULTS: The construction phase resulted in a booklet including unbiased balanced information on mode of birth after caesarean section, a preference elicitation exercise, and tailored risk information, including a prediction model for successful VBAC. During pilot testing, visualisation of risks and clarity formed the main basis for revisions. Pilot testing showed the availability of tailored structured information to be the main factor involving women in decision-making. The PtDA meets 39 out of 50 IPDAS criteria (78%): 23 out of 23 criteria for content (100%) and 16 out of 20 criteria for the development process (80%). Criteria for effectiveness (n = 7) were not evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: An evidence-based PtDA was developed, with the probability of successful VBAC and the availability of structured information as key items. It is likely that the PtDA enhances the quality of decision-making on mode of birth after caesarean section.

Easy-to-use online referral test detects most patients with a high familial risk of colorectal cancer.

AIM: Currently only 12-30% of individuals with a high risk of Lynch syndrome, the most common hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) syndrome, are referred for genetic counselling. We assessed the sensitivity, usability and user experiences of a new online referral test aimed at improving referral of high-risk individuals for genetic counselling. METHOD: Sensitivity was assessed by entering pedigree data from high-risk individuals (i.e. Lynch syndrome mutation carriers) into the referral test to determine whether genetic counselling was recommended. For usability, we assessed nonmedical staff members' ability to determine referral, according to guidelines, in seven fictive clinical cases using the referral test after minimal training. Real-life users answered questions about their experience with the referral test. RESULT: Sensitivity of the referral test was 91% for mutation carriers with CRC (n = 164) and 73% for all affected and nonaffected mutation carriers (n = 420). Nonmedical staff members (n = 20) determined referral according to guidelines in 84% of cases using the referral test. Ten per cent (256/2470) of real-life users provided feedback about experiences; of those, 71% reported that the referral test increased reassurance, certainty about their familial risk and/or certainty about referral. CONCLUSION: The referral test has a high sensitivity in detecting individuals with a high risk of Lynch syndrome and is suitable for use in clinical practice. Widespread use of the referral test should improve cancer prevention in high-risk patients and their relatives.