The use of eHealth in communication about foetal diagnostics
All pregnant women in Denmark are offered screenings for Down’s syndrome. The screenings combine the mother’s age, biophysical (ultrasound) and biochemical markers to estimate the risk of carrying an embryo with Down’s syndrom.
Pregnant women with an increased risk are offered additional tests. The aim of the screenings for Down’s syndrom is to assist pregnant women in their decision, and accurate information is an important precondition.
AIM
The general aim of the PhD project was to develop an eHealth intervention, which was to improve pregnant women’s basis of making an informed decision regarding the screenings for Down’s syndrome and study the impact of the intervention.
RESULTS
The study showed that an internet-based solution well-supplements the more traditional methods like oral information and brochures regarding information about the screenings for Down’s syndrom. It is important to offer different ways of obtaining information to ensure individual solutions in the future. Furthermore, the project demonstrated that the successful development of a health-related webpage is based on a well-structured process and involves relevant interests.
Mette Maria Skjøth Jane Clemensen
PROJECT PERIOD
Start: 2011
End: 2015
The project was a PhD project by Mette Maria Skjøth.
PARTNERS
The project was carried out in collaboration between CIMT, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at OUH and Lillebaelt Academy.
