Postpartum management in primary care
- Principal Investigator: Katherine Tucker
- 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023
- Project No: 625
- Funding round: FR5
Background
The first weeks and months after birth is known as the postpartum period. This is a time when women are coping with many competing priorities, and for most women, their health care moves from maternity (hospital care) to primary care (GP-led care). There is little evidence regarding best practice in the postpartum period, and this research aims to investigate how care at this time could be improved. In particular, the postpartum period has been shown to be important for women who experience high blood pressure during or following pregnancy (around 10% of women), with research suggesting that improvements in care at this time can be effective, and support long-term improvements in cardiovascular health.
What we aim to understand
What supports or hinders women when accessing health care in the postpartum period? And are there any additional considerations for women from diverse backgrounds?
What supports or hinders health care professionals to be able to provide good health care in the postpartum period?
Design and methods
We plan to undertake focus groups with women who have experienced hypertensive pregnancy, and with health care staff involved in the care of women in the postpartum period. Within the focus groups, we will use vignettes (short stories) based on case studies of women and healthcare professionals’ experiences of postpartum care to encourage discussion and illustrate issues. This work aims to identify barriers to receiving good care, examples of good practice, and identify possible ways to improve existing care.
Patient and public involvement
Patient and public involvement is integral to this research. We will use our links with established patient groups to access a diverse range of women who have recently experienced pregnancy or postpartum complications. Our links with these groups will also ensure that our dissemination reaches women as well as health care professionals and academics.
Getting the results out
We plan to share our findings with a wide audience, including health care professionals, the public, and the academic community. We will deliver papers and conference presentations for academics and policy commissioners and work with our patients and public representatives to support the dissemination of our findings to women and their relevant support groups.
Amount Awarded: £22,247