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Watkins S, Ward K, Brown R, Crengle S, Wm de Laat M, Percival T, Sadler L, Cloete E, Gorinski R, Gentles T, Bloomfield FH. Parent and healthcare professional experiences of critical congenital heart disease in New Zealand to advance health equity. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:991. [PMID: 39187808 PMCID: PMC11348529 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11410-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Higher odds of survival have been reported in European infants compared to Indigenous Māori and Pasifika infants with critical congenital heart disease in New Zealand. We therefore aimed to understand how to mitigate this disparity by investigating the parent and healthcare professional experiences' of critical congenital heart disease healthcare in New Zealand. METHODS A prospective qualitative study utilising semi-structured interviews was conducted on a cohort of purposefully sampled parents and health professionals with experience of critical congenital heart disease healthcare in New Zealand. Parents were recruited after a fetal critical congenital heart disease diagnosis and offered two interviews at least three months apart, whilst multidisciplinary fetal and cardiosurgical health professionals were interviewed once. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim before coding, categorization and qualitative analysis. RESULTS During 2022 and 2023, 45 people participated in 57 interviews (25 parents: 19 mothers, 6 fathers; Indigenous Māori, n = 5; Pasifika, n = 6; Asian, n = 4; European, n = 10; and 20 healthcare professionals: European n = 17). The three lessons learned from participants were: (1) Minoritized groups experience disparate healthcare quality; (2) healthcare systems are under-resourced to provide equitable support for the differential needs of grieving parents; and (3) healthcare systems could engage minoritized families more optimally in shared decision-making. CONCLUSIONS According to the experiences of parents and healthcare professionals, persisting inequities in CCHD healthcare quality occur by ethnic group, with the New Zealand healthcare system privileging European families. The concepts from this study could be translated by healthcare leaders, policymakers, and professionals into evidence-based healthcare system improvements to enhance experiences for non-European families more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Watkins
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Kim Ward
- School of Nursing, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rachel Brown
- National Hauora Coalition, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sue Crengle
- Ngāi Tahi Māori Health Research Unit, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Teuila Percival
- Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lynn Sadler
- Te Toka Tumai (Auckland hospital), Te Whatu Ora, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Elza Cloete
- Te Whatu Ora (Christchurch hospital), Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Ruth Gorinski
- Heart Kids NZ, Tamariki Manawa Māia, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Thomas Gentles
- Te Toka Tumai (Auckland hospital), Te Whatu Ora, Auckland, New Zealand
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Yeşildere Sağlam H, Gürsoy E. Termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomaly: A qualitative study from Turkey on women's experiences. Midwifery 2024; 132:103957. [PMID: 38428136 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.103957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomaly is an unexpected traumatic event for women. It can cause serious complications that can negatively affect both the physical and psychological health of women. AIM This study aims to examine the experiences of women who underwent medical termination for fetal anomaly in the second trimester. METHODS The study included 12 women whose pregnancies were terminated due to fetal anomaly. Data were collected through in-depth interviews until data sufficiency was reached. Thematic analysis method was used to analyze the data. This study was conducted using an inductive qualitative design. The women's statements were examined and double-coded. By examining the codes, main themes were created after sub-themes. RESULTS Women's experiences were analyzed in five themes: difficulty in decision-making (1), emotional impact (2), stigmatization (3), dilemma between hope and anxiety (4), and post-termination care and support needs (5). Participants stated that they experienced many emotions such as indecision, sadness, helplessness, guilt, and remorse during the medical termination process. Hope, anxiety, fear, social pressure and support needs were also frequently experienced in this process. CONCLUSION Termination of pregnancy in the second trimester due to fetal anomaly caused significant psychological symptoms. In order to prevent long-term health complications, it will be important for health professionals to provide interventions designed to meet the demands of women diagnosed with fetal anomaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Havva Yeşildere Sağlam
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Kütahya Health Sciences University, Kütahya, Turkey.
| | - Elif Gürsoy
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
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Akın Işık R, İş M, Kaya Y. "You Are in the Middle of a Road, a Road With No End": Experiences of Women Who Underwent Medical Termination of Their Pregnancies: A Phenomenologıcal Study. J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2024; 26:E83-E90. [PMID: 38206298 DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000001006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
This article focused on the experiences of women who underwent medical termination of their pregnancies. The study adopted a qualitative phenomenological research design with a sample of 20 pregnant women. Data were collected between April and June 2022 using a personal information form and a semistructured individual interview. The qualitative data were analyzed into 4 categories: "psychosocial impacts," "impacts on functionality," "coping," and "expectations." These categories comprised 8 themes and 24 subthemes. Nurses play a crucial role in adopting family-centered approaches to offer holistic care. They should prioritize providing physical care throughout the medical termination, while also assessing the psychological impact of fetal loss. Perinatal palliative care and bereavement counseling should be integrated into care practices.
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Sun S, Sun Y, Qian J, Tian Y, Wang F, Yu Q, Yu X. Parents' experiences and need for social support after pregnancy termination for fetal anomaly: a qualitative study in China. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070288. [PMID: 37734885 PMCID: PMC10514653 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and need for social support of Chinese parents after termination of pregnancy for fetal anomalies. DESIGN A qualitative study using semistructured, in-depth interviews combined with observations. Data were analysed by Claizzi's phenomenological procedure. SETTING A large, tertiary obstetrics and gynaecology hospital in China. PARTICIPANTS Using purposive sampling approach, we interviewed 12 couples and three additional women (whose spouses were not present). RESULTS Four themes were identified from the experiences of parents: the shock of facing reality, concerns surrounding termination of pregnancy, the embarrassment of the two-child policy and the urgent need for social support. CONCLUSION Parents experienced complicated and intense emotional reactions, had concerns surrounding the termination of pregnancy and an urgent need for social support. Paternal psychological reactions were often neglected by healthcare providers and the fathers, themselves. These findings suggest that both mothers and fathers should receive appropriate support from family, medical staff and peers to promote their physical and psychological rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiwen Sun
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Women's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yaping Sun
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jialu Qian
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanping Tian
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Women's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Nursing Department, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Women's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qing Yu
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Women's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Yu
- Department of Obstetrics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Women's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
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Heaney S, Galeotti M, Aventin Á. Pregnancy loss following miscarriage and termination of pregnancy for medical reasons during the COVID-19 pandemic: a thematic analysis of women's experiences of healthcare on the island of Ireland. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:529. [PMID: 37480006 PMCID: PMC10360341 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05839-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Losing a baby during pregnancy can be a devastating experience for expectant parents. Many report dedicated, compassionate healthcare provision as a facilitator of positive mental health outcomes, however, healthcare services have been severely impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIM To explore women's experiences of healthcare service provision for miscarriage and termination of pregnancy for medical reasons (TFMR) on the island of Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Findings combine data from elements of two separate studies. Study 1 used a mixed methods approach with women who experienced miscarriage and attended a hospital in Northern Ireland. Study 2 was qualitative and examined experiences of TFMR in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Data analysed for this paper includes open-ended responses from 145 women to one survey question from Study 1, and semi-structured interview data with 12 women from Study 2. Data were analysed separately using Thematic Analysis and combined for presentation in this paper. RESULTS Combined analysis of results indicated three themes, (1) Lonely and anxiety-provoking experiences; (2) Waiting for inadequate healthcare; and (3) The comfort of compassionate healthcare professionals. CONCLUSIONS Women's experiences of healthcare provision were negatively impacted by COVID-19, with the exclusion of their partner in hospital, and delayed services highlighted as particularly distressing. Limited in-person interactions with health professionals appeared to compound difficulties. The lived experience of service users will be helpful in developing policies, guidelines, and training that balance both the need to minimise the risk of infection spread, with the emotional, psychological, and physical needs and wishes of parents. Further research is needed to explore the long-term impact of pregnancy loss during a pandemic on both parents and health professionals delivering care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Heaney
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Martina Galeotti
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
| | - Áine Aventin
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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Zhou M, Li X, Huang C, Xie J, Liu L, Wang Y, Xiao G, Zhang T, Qin C. Needs for supporting women undergoing termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly: A phenomenological study based on the cognitive-emotional-behavioral framework. Midwifery 2023; 123:103726. [PMID: 37192569 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine and describe the needs of women undergoing termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (TOPFA) in China. STUDY DESIGN Qualitative study with semi-structured interviews. Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies checklist was used for reporting. SETTING Three general hospitals and one special hospital in Changsha, Hunan, China. PARTICIPANTS 12 women who had undergone TOPFA and 12 healthcare providers who had experienced in caring for these women. METHODS This study was based on the cognitive-emotional-behavioral framework (CEBF) of women who had to undergo TOPFA. Twenty-four participants (12 women and 12 healthcare providers) were recruited from two hospitals in China. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted based on interview guides. ATLAS.ti software was used to encode and analyze data. Qualitative content analysis was also applied. FINDINGS Four themes emerged: information, emotional, professional psychological, and social supports. Each theme was subdivided into four phases for a detailed description of the temporal order (denial, confirmation, decision-making, and recovery phases) within the framework. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Our study analyzes the four needs of women who underwent TOPFA and the specifics of each need at different phases based on the CEBF. The importance of offering professional psychological support, detailed information, timely emotional support, and comprehensive social support for these women is illustrated. This study contributes to the understanding of women's needs, hence providing a theoretical basis for the construction of supportive programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjia Zhou
- Department of Health Management, The Third XiangYa Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; XiangYa School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xi Li
- School of Medicine, Jishou University, Jishou, China
| | - Chi Huang
- Department of Health Management, The Third XiangYa Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; XiangYa School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiaying Xie
- Department of Health Management, The Third XiangYa Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; XiangYa School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Health Management, The Third XiangYa Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; XiangYa School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Health Management, The Third XiangYa Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; XiangYa School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Gui Xiao
- Department of Health Management, The Third XiangYa Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; XiangYa School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Department of Health Management, The Third XiangYa Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; XiangYa School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunxiang Qin
- Department of Health Management, The Third XiangYa Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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Mirtabar SM, Pahlavan Z, Aligoltabar S, Barat S, Nasiri-Amiri F, Nikpour M, Behmanesh F, Taheri S, Nasri K, Faramarzi M. Women's worries about prenatal screening tests suspected of fetal anomalies: a qualitative study. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:66. [PMID: 36782219 PMCID: PMC9926685 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02211-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnant women with suspected fetal anomalies experience a great deal of stress following prenatal screening tests. The present study aimed to investigate women's worries about prenatal screening tests suspected of fetal anomalies. METHODS Through the use of qualitative content analysis, the reports of women whose prenatal screening tests were suspected of fetal anomalies were analyzed and the results were interpreted. The participants were selected from four public and private maternity care clinics of Babol, Iran, from December 2021 to January 2022, using targeted convenience sampling. Data were collected from 20 women aged 24 to 41 years old, who underwent prenatal screening tests and were suspected of fetal anomalies, using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. RESULTS The four main themes included the "causes of worries" (with sub-themes of challenge with spouse and relatives, medical diagnosis processes, previous unpleasant experiences, physical and mental problems, financial worries, and misinformation), "anxiety-coping styles" (with cognitive emotion-oriented, behavioral emotion-oriented, and problem-oriented sub-themes), "reactions to a possible diagnosis of anomaly" (with three sub-themes, namely concealment, extreme fear and worry, and denial), and "attribution of the cause of the anomaly" (with sub-themes of consanguine marriage, evil eyes, tendency to have a baby of a particular gender, a history of anomalies in the previous child, the spouse's medical illness, unplanned pregnancy, and high maternal anxiety). CONCLUSION Women with suspected fetal anomalies experience a great deal of stress, the most important reason for which is the "physician's uncertainty". "Sharing worries with relatives" was the most common style of coping with worries. Establishing emotional support and empathetic communication between midwives and physicians with pregnant women suspected of fetal anomalies were important ways to reduce their worries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyyedeh Mahboubeh Mirtabar
- grid.411495.c0000 0004 0421 4102Research Clinical Psychology, Student Research Committee, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Zeynab Pahlavan
- grid.411495.c0000 0004 0421 4102Rouhani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Sajedeh Aligoltabar
- grid.411495.c0000 0004 0421 4102Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Shahnaz Barat
- grid.411495.c0000 0004 0421 4102Infertility and Health Reproductive Research Center, Health Research Institue, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Fatemeh Nasiri-Amiri
- grid.411495.c0000 0004 0421 4102Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institue, Department of General Courses, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Maryam Nikpour
- grid.411495.c0000 0004 0421 4102Non-Communicable pediatric Disease Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Fereshteh Behmanesh
- grid.411495.c0000 0004 0421 4102Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institue, Department of General Courses, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Sina Taheri
- grid.411495.c0000 0004 0421 4102Rouhani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Khadijeh Nasri
- grid.468130.80000 0001 1218 604XDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mahbobeh Faramarzi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institue, Department of General Courses, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Heaney S, Tomlinson M, Aventin Á. Termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly: a systematic review of the healthcare experiences and needs of parents. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:441. [PMID: 35619067 PMCID: PMC9137204 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04770-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improved technology and advances in clinical testing have resulted in increased detection rates of congenital anomalies during pregnancy, resulting in more parents being confronted with the possibility of terminating a pregnancy for this reason. There is a large body of research on the psychological experience and impact of terminating a pregnancy for fetal anomaly. However, there remains a lack of evidence on the holistic healthcare experience of parents in this situation. To develop a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare experiences and needs of parents, this systematic review sought to summarise and appraise the literature on parents' experiences following a termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly. REVIEW QUESTION What are the healthcare experiences and needs of parents who undergo a termination of pregnancy following an antenatal diagnosis of a fetal anomaly? METHODS A systematic review was undertaken with searches completed across six multi-disciplinary electronic databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane). Eligible articles were qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods studies, published between January 2010 and August 2021, reporting the results of primary data on the healthcare experiences or healthcare needs in relation to termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly for either, or both parents. Findings were synthesised using Thematic Analysis. RESULTS A total of 30 articles were selected for inclusion in this review of which 24 were qualitative, five quantitative and one mixed-methods. Five overarching themes emerged from the synthesis of findings: (1) Contextual impact on access to and perception of care, (2) Organisation of care, (3) Information to inform decision making, (4) Compassionate care, and (5) Partner experience. CONCLUSION Compassionate healthcare professionals who provide non-judgemental and sensitive care can impact positively on parents' satisfaction with the care they receive. A well organised and co-ordinated healthcare system is needed to provide an effective and high-quality service. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020175970 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Heaney
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, MBC Building, BT9 7BL, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
| | - Mark Tomlinson
- Department of Global Health, Institute for Life Course Health Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Áine Aventin
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, MBC Building, BT9 7BL, Belfast, Northern Ireland
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