Framing information in antenatal care

Abstract

The material in this series of papers is derived from a Department of Health funded evaluation of the MIDIRS Informed Choice leaflets (Kirkham and Stapleton, 2001). The focus of these papers is on the role of the midwife in disseminating information to, and facilitating informed decision-making with, women in her care. Although health professionals generally expressed positive sentiments out the MIDIRS leaflets and their potential to assist women in making informed choices, competing demands within the clinical environment limited their effective use. This paper illustrates behavioural and organisational impediments, such as midwives’ conversational styles and pressures on their time, which reduced the opportunities for pregnant women to access the evidenced-based information they needed to participate more effectively in decision-making processes.The material in this series of papers is derived from a Department of Health funded evaluation of the MIDIRS Informed Choice leaflets (Kirkham and Stapleton, 2001). The focus of these papers is on the role of the midwife in disseminating information to, and facilitating informed decision-making with, women in her care. Although health professionals generally expressed positive sentiments out the MIDIRS leaflets and their potential to assist women in making informed choices, competing demands within the clinical environment limited their effective use. This paper illustrates behavioural and organisational impediments, such as midwives’ conversational styles and pressures on their time, which reduced the opportunities for pregnant women to access the evidenced-based information they needed to participate more effectively in decision-making processes.