Stakeholder’s perspectives of postnatal discharge

A qualitative evidence synthesis

Bibliographic Data

ID21881055
AuthorsChloe Mercedes Harvey (0000-0002-3732-2973, Bangkok University, corresponding author), Helen Smith (0000-0003-2212-2781, International Health Consulting Services Ltd, Liverpool, UK), Andrey Portela (0000-0001-6368-1585, World Health Organization), Ani Movsisyan (0000-0003-0258-8912, Bayer (Germany))
Year2023
Volume8
IssueSuppl 2
Pagese011766
Publication date2023-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMJ Global Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2059-7908 • E-ISSN: 2059-7908
PublisherBMJ (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1136/bmjgh-2023-011766
PMID37553175
OpenAlexW4385666628
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited32

INTRODUCTION: Discharge preparation prior to leaving a health facility after childbirth offers a critical window of opportunity for women, parents and newborns to receive support for the transition to care at home. However, research suggests that the quality of discharge preparation following childbirth is variable. This review synthesises qualitative evidence on stakeholder perspectives of postnatal discharge. METHODS: We conducted a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies included in a larger published scoping review on discharge preparedness and readiness (reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews). For inclusion, in the qualitative evidence synthesis, studies had to have used qualitative methods for data collection and analysis to capture the perspectives of women, parents and health workers. Key characteristics and findings were extracted, and thematic analysis was used to inductively develop a conceptual coding framework. RESULTS: Of a total of 130 research documents (published research articles and grey literature), six studies met the inclusion criteria; five were conducted in high-income countries, five were published in English and one was published in Swedish. Studies reported on the experiences of women, fathers and midwives with the number of participants ranging from 12 to 324. Nine descriptive themes (findings) were identified. From these, three high-level analytical themes were generated: (1) health workers need support to optimise the postnatal discharge process; (2) the allocated time for, and timing of, discharge is rushed; (3) overlooking women's and fathers'/partners' needs leads to feelings of exclusion. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest an overall feeling of dissatisfaction among women, parents and midwives with the current provision of discharge preparation. In particular, women and midwives expressed frustration at the lack of time and resources available for ensuring adequate quality of care prior to discharge. The perspectives of included stakeholders indicate a demand for increased focus on the emotional and social needs of women and families during discharge preparation as well as better engagement of fathers and other family members. The qualitative evidence available indicates the likely positive impact of adequate discharge preparation if the identified service and system barriers can be overcome. As the updated WHO recommendations on postnatal care become embedded in country health systems and policies, there may be renewed interest on values, preferences and perspectives at system, service and end-user level

Childbirth · Feeling · Political science · Pregnancy · Preparedness · Public relations · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Stakeholder · Thematic analysis · Maternal and fetal healthcare · Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology