Design, development and usability testing of Essential Coaching for Every Mother: A postnatal text message educational intervention. Issue 3 (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dol, Justine; Tomblin Murphy, Gail; Aston, Megan; McMillan, Douglas; Campbell-Yeo, Marsha
• Is Part Of: Women and birth. Volume 34:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: e228
• Page End: e236
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: mHealth -- Text messages -- Postnatal -- Parental education -- Digital health; Midwives -- Periodicals; Pregnancy -- Periodicals; Midwifery -- Periodicals; Pregnancy -- Periodicals; 618.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2020.05.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1871-5192

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The transition to motherhood is an exciting yet challenging period that requires physical, emotional, and social adjustment. During the postpartum period, mothers require support and information to ensure a smooth transition and adjustment to motherhood. One innovative strategy to provide mothers with this information is mobile health (mHealth), and specifically, text messaging. Objective: To describe the design, development and usability testing of a postnatal text message intervention called Essential Coaching for Every Mother . Methods: First time mothers (n = 11) and postpartum healthcare providers (n = 18) were involved in iterative interviewing in Halifax, Canada. Adaption of content occurred through three rounds of user testing using semi-structured interviews. The Information Assessment Method (IAM) Parents survey was also completed by mothers. Results: Three cycles of iterative testing were conducted with eight participants (3 mothers, 5 healthcare providers), thirteen participants (8 mothers, 5 healthcare providers) and 8 participants (8 healthcare providers), respectively. Messages evolved from risk-focused to prevention and education focused. Mothers felt the messages addressed their needs and healthcare providers ensured the content was consistent with the messaging currently provided to postpartum mothers. Conclusion: Essential Coaching for Every Mother is the first postnatal educational text message intervention developed for mothers in Halifax, Canada. We sought to involve first time mothers (end-users) and postpartum healthcare providers (experts) in the development and usability evaluation to ensure the intervention adequately met needs and was consistent with current practices related to postpartum education.