Diabetes in pregnancy: Women's views of care in a multi-ethnic, low socioeconomic population with midwifery continuity-of-care

BACKGROUND

Diabetes in pregnancy is diagnosed in 6% of pregnancies annually in Aotearoa-New Zealand, disproportionately affecting multi-ethnic, low socio-economic women. Little is known about the care experience of this population within the model of midwifery continuity-of-care, including views of telehealth care.

AIM

Increase understanding of the experience of diabetes in pregnancy care, including telehealth, among multi-ethnic, low socio-economic women receiving midwifery continuity-of-care.

METHODS

Qualitative interview study with primarily indigenous and migrant women who had diabetes in pregnancy and gave birth 6-18 months previously. Interviewers were matched with participants by ethnicity. Transcripts were analysed using Framework analysis.

RESULTS

Participants were 19 women (5 Māori, 5 Pacific Peoples, 5 Asian, 4 European). Data analysis revealed three key themes: 1) 'shock, shame, and adjustment' to the diagnosis 2) 'learning to manage diabetes in pregnancy' and 3) 'preparation for birth and beyond' to the postpartum period.

DISCUSSION

Receiving the diagnosis of diabetes in pregnancy was a shock. Managing diabetes during pregnancy was particularly challenging for indigenous and migrant women, who wished for better access to culturally appropriate dietary and lifestyle information. Women appreciated having options of telehealth and face-to-face consultations. Preparation for birth and postpartum diabetes follow-up were areas requiring significant improvement. Challenges were mitigated through care from a consistent diabetes specialist midwife and community-based midwifery continuity-of-care.

CONCLUSION

Midwives were the backbone of diabetes in pregnancy care for this multi-ethnic, low socio-economic population. Care could be improved with more culturally appropriate diet and lifestyle information, better birth preparation, and expanded postpartum diabetes support.

Measuring health consumers' engagement at the governance level: development and validation of the Middlemore Consumer Engagement Questionnaire

AIM

To develop and validate a questionnaire to measure health CE at governance level.

METHOD

This study used qualitative and quantitative methods (including focus groups, cognitive interviews and an international survey), and consisted of two phases. In Phase 1, an initial list of items was generated and refined with feedback from health consumer representatives. In Phase 2, a draft survey was distributed to n=227 consumers from New Zealand, Australia and Canada. The benefit and relevance of using the questionnaire was explored through face-to-face interviews with five CE leaders from New Zealand healthcare organisations.

RESULTS

The proposed questionnaire comprises 25 statements relating to CE. Respondents indicate their level of agreement with the statements on a five-point Likert-type scale. Focus group and cognitive interview participants found the questionnaire relevant and easy to understand. The questionnaire scores correlated with the PPEET, another instrument measuring consumer engagement, and showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.97), unidimensionality and test-retest reliability (r=0.84).

CONCLUSION

The proposed questionnaire measures CE at governance level and can be used for international comparisons and benchmarking. It showed sound psychometric properties and its value and relevance was recognised by health consumer representatives and leaders with CE roles in New Zealand healthcare organisations.