ORCID Profile
0000-0003-2473-727X
Current Organisation
James Cook University
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Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 11-2018
DOI: 10.1111/CP.12141
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-10-2019
DOI: 10.1111/AJO.13052
Abstract: The stillbirth rate for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants is twice that for non-Indigenous infants. Autopsy is the gold standard for fetal investigation however, parental consent is often not given. There is little research investigating the drivers of parents' decision-making for autopsy after stillbirth. The current study explored the reasons why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women did or did not give permission to autopsy after stillbirth. Five Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted within a phenomenological framework. Five themes were identified as reasons for giving permission - to find out why the baby died to confirm diagnosis to understand future risk to help others and doubt about maternal causes. Four themes were identified as reasons for declining permission - not asked in a sensitive manner not enough time to think distress about the autopsy procedure and unwilling to agree. There was a lack of acceptability of the lengthy timeframe for the availability of autopsy results as families usually wait between three and nine months. This lengthy waiting period negatively impacted upon families' health and wellbeing. It is important for health professionals to understand the factors that parents consider when giving permission for autopsy after stillbirth. It is hoped that an increase in autopsy rate will enhance the understanding of the causes of stillbirth and ultimately decrease the stillbirth rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-11-2015
DOI: 10.1111/AJO.12421
Abstract: Over the past 30 years, the perinatal mortality rate (PMR) in Australia has been reduced to almost a quarter of that observed in the 1970s. To a large extent, this decline in the PMR has been driven by a reduction in neonatal mortality. Stillbirth rates have, however, remained relatively unchanged, and stillbirth rates for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander mothers have remained approximately twice that for non-Indigenous women over the last 10 years. The causes for this difference remain to be fully established. Fetal autopsy is the single most important investigative tool to determine the cause of fetal demise. While facilitators and barriers to gaining consent for autopsy have been identified in a non-Indigenous context, these are yet to be established for Indigenous families. In order to address the gap in stillbirths between Indigenous and non-Indigenous mothers, it is essential to identify culturally appropriate ways when approaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families for consent after fetal death. Culturally safe and appropriate counselling at this time provides the basis for respectful care to families while offering an opportunity to gain knowledge to reduce the PMR. Identifying the cause of preventable stillbirth is an important step in narrowing the disparity in stillbirth rates between Indigenous and non-Indigenous mothers.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-08-2021
DOI: 10.1111/AJO.13422
Abstract: The stillbirth rate for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants remains higher than non‐Indigenous rates. Risks for stillbirth include maternal factors such as ethnicity, age, geographic location, and physical health. Fetal risk factors include gestational age, birthweight and congenital anomalies. The total stillbirth rate for all babies born at the Townsville University Hospital during the study period was 11 per 1000 births. To identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stillbirth rates, risk factors and causes in North Queensland. A retrospective chart audit was conducted to identify Indigenous women who had experienced stillbirth in the Townsville University Hospital between January 2005 and December 2014. Thirty‐two charts were available for audit. The stillbirth rate for non‐Indigenous infants was 10.3 per 1000 births. The stillbirth rate for Indigenous infants was 11.7 per 1000 births. Almost half of the women lived in rural, remote or very remote areas. Maternal risk factors included poorer physical health, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking, fertility issues and lack of antenatal care. Fetal risk factors included congenital anomalies, including cardiac and skeletal abnormalities, placental disorders, and preterm birth. Stillbirth risk remains higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their babies. Supporting women to enhance their health is paramount, particularly during pregnancy. Further, increasing awareness of stillbirth risk factors through education for both women and healthcare professionals will support culturally responsive care for women and their families to mitigate stillbirth risk and enhance pregnancy outcomes in non‐urban Queensland.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2020
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 11-05-2023
DOI: 10.1177/00302228231170417
Abstract: Complicated grief is a disabling condition that occurs when the natural grief process is disturbed or prolonged. Research demonstrates that complicated grief is more prevalent following the sudden or violent loss of a child. Despite the high incidence of accidental death worldwide, little research has focused on parental grief trajectories following this form of traumatic loss. A systematic review was conducted to explore parental bereavement outcomes following accidental death. Studies were included if they specifically examined complicated grief in parents bereaved by the accidental death of their child. A total of 767 articles were identified and seven studies met the eligibility criteria for review. Poorer outcomes were identified in relation to the mode of death, relationship type, time post-loss, perceived support, perceived justice and comorbidities. Results of the current study may be used to inform the development of clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of complicated grief.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2019
Publisher: Common Ground Research Networks
Date: 2018
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-05-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2020
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-2018
DOI: 10.1111/CP.12112
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 12-2016
DOI: 10.1111/AP.12159
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-05-2021
No related grants have been discovered for Meegan Kilcullen.