Maternal experiences and preference of maternity services in Singapore: A descriptive qualitative study

IF 2.6 3区医学 Q1 NURSING Midwifery Pub Date : 2024-10-04 DOI:10.1016/j.midw.2024.104194

Tracer J.Q. Tioe , Shi Min Khoo , Julie S.L. Tay , Mei Qi Ang , Serena S.L. Koh , Shefaly Shorey

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Abstract

Problem

Little is known about mothers’ experiences and preferences for maternity services in Singapore. A more nuanced understanding would identify areas for improvement in perinatal care, reducing the burden on healthcare providers in supporting maternity services.

Background

Expecting mothers are typically referred to hospital-based antenatal and postnatal services in Singapore. In recent years, Singapore has made maternity services available in primary care community settings called polyclinics, to improve accessibility of such services.

Aim

To explore the experiences and preferences of Singaporean mothers in receiving maternity services in acute hospitals and polyclinics.

Methods

A descriptive qualitative study design was adopted, and data were collected from September to October 2023. In total, 13 mothers were recruited from a maternity care hospital in Singapore. Individual semi-structured audio-recorded interviews were conducted, and data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Three themes were identified: (1) Considerations when seeking maternity care, (2) Differing preferences and satisfaction levels, (3) Hopes for better perinatal care for mothers and babies.

Discussion

Most mothers preferred seeking hospital-based antenatal care and were more inclined to do postnatal follow-ups in polyclinics. Factors like accessibility, cost and perceived expertise of healthcare providers influenced the decision-making. Maternal satisfaction with care services also fluctuated based on interpersonal factors and whether their informational needs were met.

Conclusion

Overall, mothers’ perceptions of maternity services were positive. Findings suggest the possibility of further expanding maternity services in community settings to increase professional support for mothers. Future research is needed to ascertain these findings in non-English speaking and non-subsidized settings.

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新加坡产妇对产科服务的体验和偏好：一项描述性定性研究。

问题：人们对新加坡母亲的产科服务体验和偏好知之甚少。更细致入微的了解可以找出围产期护理中需要改进的地方，减轻医疗服务提供者在支持产科服务方面的负担：背景：在新加坡，准妈妈通常会被转诊到医院接受产前和产后服务。近年来，新加坡已在社区初级医疗机构--综合诊所提供产科服务，以改善此类服务的可及性。目的：探讨新加坡母亲在急症医院和综合诊所接受产科服务的经历和偏好：采用描述性定性研究设计，数据收集时间为 2023 年 9 月至 10 月。共招募了 13 名来自新加坡一家妇产医院的母亲。研究人员进行了个人半结构式录音访谈，并采用主题分析法对数据进行了分析：确定了三个主题：(1) 寻求产科护理时的考虑因素；(2) 不同的偏好和满意度；(3) 希望为母亲和婴儿提供更好的围产期护理：讨论：大多数母亲更愿意在医院接受产前护理，也更愿意在综合诊所进行产后随访。可及性、费用和对医疗服务提供者专业知识的认知等因素影响了她们的决策。产妇对护理服务的满意度也因人际因素和是否满足其信息需求而波动：总体而言，产妇对产科服务的看法是积极的。研究结果表明，有可能在社区环境中进一步扩大产科服务，以增加对母亲的专业支持。未来的研究需要在非英语国家和非补贴环境中确定这些研究结果。

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来源期刊

Midwifery 医学-护理

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

7.40%

发文量

221

审稿时长

13.4 weeks

期刊介绍： Midwifery publishes the latest peer reviewed international research to inform the safety, quality, outcomes and experiences of pregnancy, birth and maternity care for childbearing women, their babies and families. The journal’s publications support midwives and maternity care providers to explore and develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes informed by best available evidence. Midwifery provides an international, interdisciplinary forum for the publication, dissemination and discussion of advances in evidence, controversies and current research, and promotes continuing education through publication of systematic and other scholarly reviews and updates. Midwifery articles cover the cultural, clinical, psycho-social, sociological, epidemiological, education, managerial, workforce, organizational and technological areas of practice in preconception, maternal and infant care. The journal welcomes the highest quality scholarly research that employs rigorous methodology. Midwifery is a leading international journal in midwifery and maternal health with a current impact factor of 1.861 (© Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports 2016) and employs a double-blind peer review process.