Just-in-Time Consent for Prenatal Genetic Screening
Supporting Just-in-Time Consent for Prenatal Screening
This project will offer a brief, on-the-spot consent approach to help pregnant people understand what prenatal genetic screening does and what the results might mean.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11310294 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be offered a short consent conversation or tool right when screening is offered that explains the purpose, limits, and possible outcomes of prenatal genetic screening. The team will introduce this approach in clinic settings, especially in lower-resource clinics, and gather feedback from pregnant people and clinicians. They will use surveys and interviews to understand how the approach affects understanding, stress, and decision-making, and refine the materials based on real-world use. The aim is to make consent clearer and less burdensome while respecting each person’s values about pregnancy and genetic information.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant people who are being offered prenatal genetic screening (such as cell-free DNA or maternal serum screening) at participating clinics are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant, who have already had definitive diagnostic testing (like amniocentesis with microarray), or who do not want prenatal genetic information are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help pregnant people make clearer, less stressful decisions about prenatal genetic screening that align with their values.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have documented problems with routinized prenatal screening and counseling, but using brief 'just-in-time' consent in clinical care is a relatively new, not-yet-widely-proven approach.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Michie, Marsha Mabry — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Michie, Marsha Mabry
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.