Exploring the use of health technology in community-based midwifery care – An interview study

Abstract

Background: New portable health technologies may offer solutions to problems in current maternity care, but little is known about their current usage, existing problems, or areas of unmet needs. Purpose: To better understand the use of health technology in community midwifery care in the UK. Methods: Midwives with current or recent experience working in community settings were recruited using social media. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken. These were transcribed and thematically analyzed. Results: Thirteen midwives were interviewed between October 2021 and March 2022. The main themes and subthemes were as follows: 1) Problems with current equipment: (a) Issues in the context of remote working, b) Concerns regarding accuracy, and c) Women’s experiences with equipment. 2) Equipment challenges working within the UK National Health Service: a) Lack of availability of appropriate equipment, and b) Lack of autonomy in how to utilize equipment. 3) Areas of unmet needs. Conclusion: This study has shown that there are several areas of unmet needs for community midwives which should be investigated; however, arguably more pressing is improving the availability and quality of health technologies and other equipment that is already widely used. Midwives were interested in technologies that support decision making, reduce the number of hospital visits for their patients, improve their workload, and reduce medicalisation. At the same time, there is fear that technology may take away midwives’ wisdom. Where new technologies are introduced, support and training should be provided to address potential resistance.