Abstract
This study assessed how the quality of care during the COVID-19 pandemic has been experienced by Dutch midwives. At the beginning of May 2020, 15 Dutch midwives were interviewed during the first wave of the pandemic. The interviews included questions based on the value-based healthcare framework by Porter. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed according to recurrent themes using the directed content analysis approach. Key themes identified included high quality midwifery care, information provision, costs, under/over treatment, interprofessional collaboration, and shared decision making. The quality of midwifery care during the COVID-19 pandemic was experienced to be sufficient, given the challenging circumstances. The midwives experienced the lack of face-to-face check-ups to be problematic. Unclear information and lack of personal protective equipment caused stress and confusion, and they worked an additional 2–4 h per working day. Some pregnant women were hesitant to call or visit them when they thought something was wrong. The midwives perceived some advantages in using video or telephone calls. Considerations for future pandemics include an additional face-to-face check-up between 16 and 27 weeks of pregnancy and one postpartum visit. For post-pandemic care, providing a check-up through telephone or video call could be offered in certain cases.
Highlights
On the last day of 2019, the emergence of COVID-19 was first reported to the WorldHealth Organization [WHO]
86–87% of all pregnant women are counselled in primary obstetric care at the start of their pregnancy [5], which is what this study focuses on
The findings are structured around the main themes identified during the interviews: background, high quality midwifery care, information provision, costs, under/over treatment, interprofessional collaboration, and shared decision making
Summary
On the last day of 2019, the emergence of COVID-19 was first reported to the WorldHealth Organization [WHO]. Halfway through May 2020 there were over 44,000 confirmed cases and over 5400 confirmed deaths due to COVID-19 in the Netherlands. Drastic measures, such as social-distancing and working from home, were taken [2]. At which midwifery practice do you work?. For how long have you been working at this specific midwifery practice?. Do you live with or care for people who have underlying health issues that may increase the severity of a COVID-19 infection?. How do you experience providing midwifery care during the COVID-19 pandemic? What is your perception on how pregnant women and their partners experience the quality of midwifery care during the COVID-19 pandemic? How do you experience providing midwifery care during the COVID-19 pandemic? Is it more or less challenging than you expected? [mentally and physically]
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