Shaping Autonomous Choice: The Role of Healthcare Professionals' Value Judgements in Decision-Making about Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing

This thesis explores the role of healthcare professionals in supporting decisions about non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). While NIPT is intended to help pregnant people and their partners make informed reproductive choices, growing test complexity means patients often turn to their healthcare professionals for recommendations. The personal views and values of healthcare professionals may inform their professional recommendations, which may help patients but also risk limiting their options or access to care. Using empirical research and ethical analysis, this thesis argues that healthcare professionals' personal values can play a supportive role in decision-making but that they should not inhibit patient access to care.