The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62083

Susan Sherry Hodges, MS, Citizens for Midwifery, PO Box 82227, Athens, GA 30608-2227, 888-236-4880, shodgesmwy@earthlink.net

Consumers expect medical treatments, intended to cure or relieve symptoms of disease, to be based on science. Although childbearing is a normal human process, almost no U.S. women give birth without multiple medical interventions, most of which lack evidence for effectiveness or safety. Consumers should benefit from "evidence-based practice" applied to maternity care.

The Cochrane Collaboration (CC), a highly respected source for evidence-based practice, recognizes the importance of consumer contributions to research. The Pregnancy and Childbirth Group of the CC established a Consumer Panel whose members have the opportunity to comment on systematic reviews. The editorial team enthusiastically supports the Consumer Panel, because consumer members have different perspectives and frequently offer valuable insights and important suggestions.

Pregnant and laboring women deserve evidence-based maternity care, not unproven, unnecessary and/or harmful interventions and management. Consumers can help investigators ask the right questions, can point out unfounded assumptions and bias, and can help counter the influence of economic and legal conflicts of interest, and thus help to improve the quality of the evidence. For the specific research area of normal, healthy childbirth, all practices, interventions and treatments encouraged or required by a woman's caregiver(s) or by the hospital or clinic, or by any policy-making body, should meet a standard of improving a variety of outcome measures compared to "doing nothing."

Conclusion: Consumers can and should be involved in the development of research regarding management of normal childbirth.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the lack of evidence for many standard practices and interventions used in normal childbirth.
• Recognize challenges for meaningful research that focuses on normal birth.
• Identify three ways that consumers can contribute to research development.

Keywords: Evidence Based Practice, Maternal and Child Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Cochrane Collaboration Pregnancy & Childbirth Group -- systematic reviews
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.