Models of Antenatal Care: a pilot quality care framework evaluation v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Models of Antenatal Care: a pilot focus group study to explore a new quality care framework (MAC-Qual pilot)
IRAS ID
213811
Contact name
Andrew Symon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Dundee
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Systematic reviews (e.g. Sandall et al. 2015) have demonstrated a link between midwifery-led continuity of care models and improved Clinical, Psychosocial and Organisational (CPO) outcomes, including preterm birth and breastfeeding rates. However, the underlying causal mechanisms within these models are not understood. This pilot study will test the use of focus groups with service users and providers across Tayside and Fife in an exploration of their perceptions of the care model with which they are familiar. The focus groups will use as their starting point the Quality Maternal and Newborn Care (QMNC) Framework published in The Lancet Series on Midwifery (Renfrew et al. 2014). While this Framework for quality care is well-evidenced, it has yet to be determined how service users and providers in different care models understand or experience the components and characteristics of care which it describes. These pilot focus groups are therefore needed to explore how service users and service providers perceive or understand the characteristics of care associated with the relevant model of care. Analysing these interviews will help us to understand better how to plan larger-scale fieldwork, the eventual intention being to develop a care model evaluation toolkit. In time that will allow us, other researchers, the NHS and policy-makers to assess service provision across a range of settings.
This pilot study will be in three varying care model settings in Tayside and Fife: in-hospital continuity midwifery; out-of-hospital continuity midwifery; ‘standard’ care with no or little prescribed continuity element (which in practice often means in-hospital obstetric-led), and will be guided by Patient and Public Involvement. We emphasise that while settings and care models overlap, they are not synonymous. ‘Continuity’ is not restricted to midwifery care; and ‘standard’ care varies according to local circumstances.REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SC/0496
Date of REC Opinion
3 Oct 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion