Preferences of Australian healthcare providers regarding education on long-term health after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objectives)To explore Australian healthcare providers’ (HCPs’) preferred content, format and access to education regarding long-term health after hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP), in order to guide the development of education programmes.Design and settingA qualitative study using a framework analysis was undertaken. Registered HCP who were practising in Australia and previously completed a survey about long-term health after HDP were invited to participate.ParticipantsTwenty HCP were interviewed, including midwives, specialist obstetrician/gynaecologists, general practitioners with a diploma in obstetrics and gynaecology, and cardiologists.Primary and secondary outcome measuresExploration of preferred content, format and distribution of educational material post-HDP.ResultsTwenty HCP were interviewed in April to May 2020. Four main categories were identified. ‘Obtaining evidence-based information for own learning’ addressing own learning with preference for multi-disciplinary education, preferably endorsed or facilitated by professional organisations. ‘Optimising the referral process from hospital to community health services’ was about the need for structured long-term follow-up to transition from hospital to community health and align with HDP guidelines. ‘Facilitating women’s health literacy’ addressed the need for evidence-based, print or web-based material to assist risk discussions with women. ‘Seizing educational opportunities’ addressed the responsibility of all HCP to identify education opportunities to initiate key health discussions with women.Conclusion(sHCP provided ideas on content, format and access of education regarding long-term health post-HDP within the parameters of the Australian healthcare context. This evidence will guide educational developments for HCP on post-HDP health to ensure they can better care for women and families.

Postpartum follow-up of women with preeclampsia: facilitators and barriers — A qualitative study

“…In line with previous studies, our findings suggest that a routine invitation to postpartum follow-up, similar to the invitation to cervical cancer screenings, could encourage participation of women with recent pregnancy complications [ 25 , 27 ]. Furthermore, discharge information written for women with PE discharged from maternity wards could improve their understanding of their medical condition and their ability to ask questions and make informed choices regarding their postpartum health care.…”

“…The women in our study likewise described a contrast between close antenatal monitoring and little contact with health care providers postpartum. Although both antenatal and postpartum care in Norway are mainly provided by midwives and physicians in primary health care, sub-optimal interprofessional collaboration and a lack of knowledge of the association between PE and CVD may affect the transition of care [ 25 ]. One potential reason for fragmentation in Norwegian primary health care is the role distribution, where antenatal care is commonly provided by midwives, while primary care physicians mostly deliver postpartum follow-up care.…”

Barriers and Facilitators to Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Following Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in Primary Care: Cross-Sectional Surveys

“…Women with a history of HDP in the current sample also ranked improving the referral process to other HCPs highly, which would allow them to obtain necessary advice from a multidisciplinary team. Roth et al stated that HCPs wanted to improve health literacy amongst women after HDP, specifically needing suitable and supportive materials to use with the women [41]. However, the GPs in the current sample did not rank resources to use with women highly.…”