Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider.

Whether Epidural use to contain the labor pay would result in women's memory loss over a longer-term period

Does your question include a comparison of different health care approaches? (If no, your topic will still be considered.)

yes

If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions you would like to see compared:

Use versus no use of Epidural

What patients or group(s) of patients does your question apply to? (Please include specific details such as age range, gender, coexisting diagnoses, and indications for therapy.)

Women during the labor

Are there subgroups of patients that your question might apply to? (For example, an ethnic group, stage or severity of a disease.)

Subgroup analysis can be developed, e.g. by ethnicity, types of labor (C-section or not), etc.

Describe the health-related benefits you are interested in. (For example, improvements in patient symptoms or problems from treatment or diagnosis.)

improvements in women's longer-term health. With more women active in the labor market and also household chores, alleviating any side-effect from the labor would be critical for people's lives.

Describe any health-related risks, side effects, or harms that you are concerned about.

yes, memory loss by epidural use during women's labor

Appropriateness for EHC Program

Does your question include a health care drug, intervention, device, or technology available (or likely to be available) in the U.S.?

yes

Which priority area(s) and population(s) does this topic apply to? (check all that apply)

EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008)

• Depression and other mental health disorders
• Functional limitations and disability
• Pregnancy, including preterm birth

AHRQ Priority Populations

• Low income groups
• Minority groups
• Women
• Individuals with special health care needs, including individuals with disabilities or who need chronic care or end-of-life health care

Federal Health Care Program

• Medicaid
• State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

Importance

Describe why this topic is important.

improvements in women's longer-term health. With more women active in the labor market and also household chores, alleviating any side-effect from the labor would be critical for people's lives.

It is also important becuase it affects the well-being of all families that have babies delivered

What specifically motivated you to ask this question? (For example, you are developing a clinical guideline, working with a policy with large uncertainty about the appropriate approach, costly intervention, new research you have read, items in the media you may have seen, a clinical practice dilemma you know of, etc.)

I am one of the women who experience siginificant memory loss after the labor. I heard similar feedback from my friends.

Does your question represent uncertainty for clinicians and/or policy-makers? (For example, variations in clinical care, controversy in what constitutes appropriate clinical care, or a policy decision.)

no

If yes, please explain:

Potential Impact

How will an answer to your research question be used or help inform decisions for you or your group?

Help women determine whether to use certain health intervention (.e.g pain relief procedures) during the labor

Describe the timeframe in which an answer to your question is needed.

within a year or two, ideally

Describe any health disparities, inequities, or impact on vulnerable populations your question applies to.

N/A

Nominator Information

Other Information About You: (optional)

Please choose a description that best describes your role or perspective: (you may select more than one category if appropriate)

Help women determine whether to use certain health intervention (.e.g pain relief procedures) during the labor

Are you making a suggestion as an individual or on behalf of an organization?

Individual

Please tell us how you heard about the Effective Health Care Program