Research priorities for stillbirth in Australia: outcomes of a national priority setting partnership

Stillbirth research priorities for Australia were identified in 2015. A renewed priority setting exercise identified current research priorities to address the national burden of stillbirth.

Bereaved parents, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and community-based support organisations participated in this priority setting partnership. Using a modified James Lind Alliance approach, proposed research questions were collated, refined and reviewed against existing evidence, with participants ranking their top ten research questions. Twenty-six key stakeholders at an in-person forum then determined the top research priorities.

Consultations were attended by 243 participants, representing over 30 community and professional organisations, 219 participated (48% with lived experience of stillbirth) in the prioritisation survey. In the final prioritisation forum 25 research questions were prioritised, and six overarching priority areas identified: (1) Determine the causes of, and pathways that lead to stillbirth; (2) Identify and implement strategies to prevent stillbirth; (3) Build the capacity of health services and systems; (4) Understand and improve care for families after perinatal loss; (5) Ensure culturally safe and responsive care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families; and (6) Ensure culturally safe and responsive care for families of migrant and refugee background.

This process identified a relevant stillbirth research agenda to improve outcomes for women and families in Australia.