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Aim The aim of this study was to examine factors impacting family presence during resuscitation practices in the acute care setting. Background Family presence during resuscitation was introduced in the 1980s, so family members/significant others could be with their loved ones during life‐threatening events. Evidence demonstrates important benefits; yet despite growing support from the public and endorsement from professional groups, family presence is practiced inconsistently and rationales for poor uptake are unclear. Design Constructivist grounded theory design. Methods Twenty‐five health professionals, family members and patients informed the study. In‐depth interviews were undertaken between October 2013–November 2014 to interpret and explain their meanings and actions when deciding whether to practice or participate in FPDR. Findings The Social Construction of Conditional Permission explains the social processes at work when deciding to adopt or reject family presence during resuscitation. These processes included claiming ownership, prioritizing preferences and rights, assessing suitability, setting boundaries and protecting others/self. In the absence of formal policies, decision‐making was influenced primarily by peoples’ values, preferences and pre‐existing expectations around societal roles and associated status between health professionals and consumers. As a result, practices were sporadic, inconsistent and often paternalistic rather than collaborative. Conclusion An increased awareness of the important benefits of family presence and the implementation of clinical protocols are recommended as an important starting point to address current variations and inconsistencies in practice. These measures would ensure future practice is guided by evidence and standards for health consumer safety and welfare rather than personal values and preferences of the individuals ‘in charge’ of permissions.

BACKGROUND: In the final decision for the disposition of unused IVF embryos patients must choose between options involving either donation or destruction, and this decision must be made in a context where there is tension about the status of embryos (i.e. whether viewed as potential children or as a base for further development) and whether embryo donation is adoption or tissue donation. This study explored the emotive experience of making a decision for either the destruction or donation of unused embryos. METHODS: Thirty-three patients (9 women and 12 couples) who discarded embryos and 15 (7 women and 4 couples) who donated embryos were interviewed. Interview data were analysed with particular attention to elements of moral deliberation and use of analogy. RESULTS: Adoption and tissue donation metaphors were both identified, and further, a metaphor of pregnancy termination was identified and found to be highly influential in the decision to donate embryos. Contrary to the majority of current evidence, this study found that participants who discarded embryos emphasized the adoption metaphor while embryo donors emphasized the metaphor of pregnancy termination. For each group the decision was driven by awareness of the option they did not want. CONCLUSIONS: The pregnancy termination metaphor emerged as morally relevant and this holds implications for defining and discussing embryo discard in counselling and consent processes.

IMPORTANCE Acupuncture is widely used by women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), although the evidence for efficacy is conflicting. OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of acupuncture compared with a sham acupuncture control performed during IVF on live births. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A single-blind, parallel-group randomized clinical trial including 848 women undergoing a fresh IVF cycle was conducted at 16 IVF centers in Australia and New Zealand between June 29, 2011, and October 23, 2015, with 10 months of pregnancy follow-up until August 2016. INTERVENTIONS Women received either acupuncture (n = 424) or a sham acupuncture control (n = 424). The first treatment was administered between days 6 to 8 of follicle stimulation, and 2 treatments were administered prior to and following embryo transfer. The sham control used a noninvasive needle placed away from the true acupuncture points. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was live birth, defined as the delivery of 1 or more living infants at greater than 20 weeks' gestation or birth weight of at least 400 g. RESULTS Among 848 randomized women, 24 withdrew consent, 824 were included in the study (mean [SD] age, 35.4 [4.3] years); 371 [45.0%] had undergone more than 2 previous IVF cycles), 607 proceeded to an embryo transfer, and 809 (98.2%) had data available on live birth outcomes. Live births occurred among 74 of 405 women (18.3%) receiving acupuncture compared with 72 of 404 women (17.8%) receiving sham control (risk difference, 0.5% [95% CI, −4.9% to 5.8%]; relative risk, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.76 to 1.38]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among women undergoing IVF, administration of acupuncture vs sham acupuncture at the time of ovarian stimulation and embryo transfer resulted in no significant difference in live birth rates. These findings do not support the use of acupuncture to improve the rate of live births among women undergoing IVF.

Counselling and social policy need to take account of the symbolism of the embryo and reform current practices.