The use of drones for triage in mass-casualty incidents has recently emerged as a promising technology. However, there is no triage system specifically adapted to a remote usage. Our study aimed to ...develop a remote triage procedure using drones. The research was performed in three stages: literature review, the development of a remote triage algorithm using drones and evaluation of the algorithm by experts. Qualitative synthesis and the calculation of content validity ratios were done to achieve the Aerial Remote Triage System. This algorithm assesses (in this order): major bleeding, walking, consciousness and signs of life; and then classify the injured people into several priority categories: priority 1 (red), priority 2 (yellow), priority 3 (green) and priority * (violet). It includes the possibility to indicate save-living interventions to injured people and bystanders, like the compression of bleeding injuries or the adoption of the recovery position. The Aerial Remote Triage System may be a useful way to perform triage by drone in complex emergencies when it is difficult to access to the scene due to physical, chemical or biological risks.
Abstract
Study question
Are the young citizens’ perceptions and expectations on Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ART) aligned with the information that ART clinics offer to citizens?
Summary ...answer
There is a gap between young citizen’s perceptions and expectations and the information offered by ART providers taking into account gender, sociocultural, and legal perspectives.
What is known already
Studies investigating young people’s opinions, concerns, and expectations in relation to ART are scarce. Some studies have highlighted that young adults reported low general knowledge about ART and overestimated its success rates. In addition, gaps in knowledge about fertility and the potential of ART have been described among this population. To our knowledge, there are no studies that compare young people’s perceptions with the information offered by ART providers.
Study design, size, duration
B2-Inf is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No 872706), to be executed in 36 months. B2-InF contrasts ART perceptions of young population from 8 countries (Spain, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, Slovenia) with the information provided by ART clinics to society in the same countries. To reach this objective, a descriptive multicentre qualitative study was designed through semi-structured interviews and documentary data collection from ART clinics
Participants/materials, setting, methods
From March to December 2021, 10-15 semi-structured interviews were conducted in each country. Participants were men and women aged 18 to 30 years old, childless and non-ART users. Additionally, 3-5 clinics’ websites from each country were planned to be explored and clinics’ ‘physical information’, such as consent forms, were requested. All the information was collected and transcribed verbatim in the native language and afterwards translated into English. A thematic analysis was conducted using Atlas.ti V9.
Main results and the role of chance
In total, 98 interviews were conducted: 15 in Spain, 14 in Belgium, 13 in Italy, 10 in Switzerland, 15 in Kosovo, 11 in Albania, 10 in North Macedonia and 10 in Slovenia; and 33 clinics were explored: 5 in Spain, 5 in Belgium, 5 in Italy, 5 in Switzerland, 5 in Kosovo, 5 in Albania, 5 in North Macedonia and 3 in Slovenia.
The themes that emerged in the analysis of interviews were: 1. Social perceptions of parenthood and fertility; 2. Young people’s perceptions on ART; 3. Information and publicity of ART. Participants described parenthood as a relationship beyond biological ties and identified infertility as a social taboo. Young’s perceptions on ART techniques were positive and most would use it in case of need, but the knowledge related to ART was limited. Most participants suggested that trustworthy national information campaigns led by Governments should be implemented to raise awareness of ART.
Regarding clinics, information on websites addressed risk factors and prevalence of infertility. It included description of ART techniques with unclear data about success rates, economic information and clinics human resources and facilities. Gaps were identified between citizens’ expectations and needs and the online information provided by ART clinics.
Limitations, reasons for caution
This is a first thematic analysis that provides an overview of the possible gaps between young citizen’s expectations and the information provided by ART clinics. In next steps of B2-InF project, an in-depth qualitative analysis will be conducted considering gender, sociocultural, and legal perspectives.
Wider implications of the findings
This is the first systematic multinational study that compare young people’s perceptions about ART and information provided by ART clinics. Although this is a preliminary analysis, the results will be used to develop national guidelines to inform policies on ART services with potential impact on European citizens and ART providers.
Trial registration number
European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant Agreement No 872706)
Background
Around 186 million individuals are facing infertility worldwide, with a huge impact on their wellbeing. Fertility care is considered a key element to promote reproductive health. This ...study aims to explore young adults' knowledge, perceptions and concerns about infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), and to contrast it with the information provided by ART clinics.
Methods
A multi-country qualitative study was conducted in Albania, Belgium, Slovenia, Spain, Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Switzerland within the H2020 B2-INF project (Grant Agreement 872706). In 2021, 10-15 semi-structured interviews were conducted in each country with participants aged 18-30, childless and non-ART users. Additionally, 3-5 clinics' websites in each country were explored. Data was collected in native languages and translated into English. A thematic analysis was carried out.
Results
In total, 98 interviews were conducted and 38 clinics' websites were explored. Three themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews: 1. Parenthood and (in)fertility; 2. Young people's perception on ART; 3. Information and publicity of ART. Parenthood was described as a relationship beyond biological ties and infertility as a social taboo. Most participants perceived ART positively and would use it if needed, although knowledge on ART was low. Participants considered information on ART as scarce and suggested that government-led information campaigns should be launched to raise awareness on it. Concerning clinics, the websites provided information on infertility and exhaustive technical descriptions of ART techniques, although it may be difficult for the general population to understand. Data offered on success rates were unclear and heterogeneous.
Conclusions
Gaps in citizens' expectations and needs and the information provided by ART clinics were identified. Awareness campaigns are needed to diminish social taboo on infertility and ART and to promote reproductive health.
Key messages
* Assisted Reproductive Technology is positively perceived by young adults, though their knowledge of it and infertility is low. Information campaigns are thus needed to raise awareness among the young.
* ART clinics have room for improvement in aligning the information provided on their websites with young people's perceptions and needs, and to show it in a more accessible and understandable way.
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