Q sort factor array: consensus statements (mean statement positions for individuals contributing to factors (F) 1, 2 and 3)
| Consensus statements | F1 | F2 | F3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence of severe disability is a valid reason to withdraw treatment in an extremely preterm infant* | +5 | +4 | +6 |
| The technology which enables the most premature of infants to survive brings with it increased ethical dilemmas over whether it should be used to ensure this survival* | +4 | +6 | +3 |
| The care of women in the neonatal unit should not be influenced by a history of previous abortions | +5 | +4 | +3 |
| If life-limiting disability is diagnosed prenatally, parents should be able to give birth to their child and enjoy the time they have without the option of full intensive care treatment* | +4 | +5 | +2 |
| The technology used on the neonatal unit allows more safety and control as the infants status is continually updated | +4 | +2 | +5 |
| The most important factor when deciding on resuscitation is the potential of long-term suffering to the baby | +3 | +3 | +4 |
| Health care professionals (HCP) who work in abortion services from 20 to 24 weeks of gestation are merely providing a service and should not be judged* | +2 | +3 | +2 |
| Full intensive care treatment should always be started as it can be withdrawn later if found to be futile | −1 | −2 | −1 |
| Infant survival has become a secondary outcome, with determining how far technology can advance survival limits seemingly more important | −2 | −1 | −1 |
| Caring has become technological, shifting the focus from caring from the infant to caring for the technology | −2 | −1 | −1 |
| Infants born extremely preterm to families who have received in vitro fertilisation and unlikely to conceive again should always be offered full intensive care treatment at all costs* | −4 | −3 | −2 |
| HCP should deliver the care that parents ask for, even if parents are asking for treatment that HCP think is futile | −4 | −4 | −4 |
| Parents should not be involved in treatment decisions for extremely preterm infants as they do not understand complex medical information* | −5 | −3 | −4 |
| Life should be maintained irrespective of outcome | −5 | −6 | −5 |
All factors p<0.05.
*Factors with p<0.01.