Implementation of a novel shared decision-making intervention in women with chronic hypertension in pregnancy: multiple-site multiple-method investigation

Background: Many women with chronic hypertension are conflicted about antihypertensive medication during pregnancy and some are non-adherent to prescribed medication. Objectives: Codesign, implement and evaluate a novel shared decision-making (SDM) intervention for use with pregnant women with chronic hypertension. Setting and participants: Pregnant women with chronic hypertension and their principal healthcare professionals (obstetricians, midwives, and physicians), at three National Health Service hospital trusts with different models of care. Main outcome measures: The RE-AIM framework guided the evaluation. Primary: Decisional conflict scale, medication intention survey and women's acceptability. Secondary: Healthcare professionals' acceptability and the barriers and facilitators to SDM implementation with pregnant women with chronic hypertension. Results: Fifty women participated. Nearly half (46 %; n = 23) of women were from Black and Asian backgrounds. The SDM intervention was effective at reducing decisional conflict (mean reduction from baseline 42 %, 95 % CI 35-49, p <= 0.05). In 36 women (72 %), the reduction was of clinical importance. 24 women (48 %) were un-certain about or planned not to take antihypertensives prior to the SDM intervention, compared to two women (4 %) after the intervention. The intervention was acceptable to women and healthcare professionals. 10 of 14 healthcare professionals felt that the in-consultation aid facilitated SDM in current antenatal contexts, a similar proportion (10/14) felt the length of consultations hindered SDM. Conclusion: A novel codesigned SDM intervention reduced decisional conflict and increased women's intention to take antihypertensive agents during pregnancy. This intervention could be adopted into practice for women making pregnancy decisions where there is uncertainty around the medication management option.

Automated summary

This study developed a shared decision-making intervention to help pregnant women with chronic hypertension decide on whether to take antihypertensive medication during pregnancy. The intervention was found to effectively reduce decisional conflict and increase women's intention to take the medication. Both healthcare professionals and patients found the intervention acceptable.