Ethical Factors Impacting Patients' Decisions to Pursue VCA
Abstract
Hand and upper limb transplantation (a form of vascularized composite allotransplantation, or VCA) is a newer treatment option that aims to restore motor and mobility function and sensation of the hand/arm. Upper extremity (UE) transplantation raises multiple ethical issues, particularly, about informed consent. The overall long-term objective of the proposed study is to optimize the informed consent process for people with upper limb amputations. The proposed study aims to: 1) Qualitatively assess the decision making and informed consent processes for hand transplantation; 2) Develop prototype educational materials (video, website, question prompt sheet) that provide patient-centered information to enhance understanding and reduce undue influence to pursue hand transplantation, and are sensitive to different levels of dysfunction, residual limbs, health literacy, and different racial/ethnic groups; and 3) Formatively evaluate the educational materials through usability testing on people with upper limb amputations and UE VCA candidates understanding, satisfaction, and usability. During the last year, we nearly finished developing our website Within Reach. It is now 99 percent complete. We have already distributed the website link to the DOD, PAO, and our research team for a final review. Based on their input and the feedback from our Usability Testing Interviews, we will submit one final set of modifications to the website developers that are expected to be minor stylistic, functional, and content edits.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1190461
Entities
People
- Elisa J Gordon
- Gerald Brandacher
- Macey H. Levan
- Scott Tintle
Organizations
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine