Women׳s views about maternity care: How do women conceptualise the process of continuity?. Issue 1 (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jenkins, Mary G.; Ford, Jane B.; Todd, Angela L.; Forsyth, Rowena; Morris, Jonathan M.; Roberts, Christine L.
• Is Part Of: Midwifery. Volume 31:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 25
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Midwifery -- Periodicals; Midwifery -- Periodicals; Sages-femmes -- Périodiques; Midwifery; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618.2005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2014.05.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-6138

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="ab0005"> <title id="sect0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="sect0010">Objective</title> <p id="sp0010">to gain an understanding of how women conceptualise continuity of maternity care.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0015">Design</title> <p id="sp0015">a qualitative study involving in-depth semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0020">Setting</title> <p id="sp0020">a range of urban and rural public hospitals in New South Wales, Australia.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0025">Participants</title> <p id="sp0025">53 women aged 18–44 years (median age 27 years) receiving maternity care in 2011–2012.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0030">Findings</title> <p id="sp0030">responses from women suggested five concepts of continuity: continuity of staff, continuity of relationship, continuity of information, continuity across pregnancies and continuity across locations. These concepts of continuity differed by parity and location.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0035">Conclusion and implications for practice</title> <p id="sp0035">continuity of maternity care has a variety of meanings to women. If health care providers are to commit to providing woman-centred maternity care it is important to recognise the diversity of women׳s experiences, and ensure that systems of care are flexible and appropriate to women׳s circumstances and needs.</p> </sec> </abstract>