O76 - Women identify benefits with the use of electronic maternity records

Abstract

Electronic maternity records (EMR) have replaced paper-based pregnancy hand-held records in many maternity care settings with the aim to improve the provision, quality, and efficiency of care. What is not known is whether this move impacts women’s ability to partner in their care. The aim of this study was to ask her whether, from the woman’s perspective, the focus of care has moved from the woman to the digital technology in the maternity care environment. We conducted a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 18 women across two Australian tertiary public hospitals. The women were interviewed postpartum in the maternity ward and had received care in a variety of care models. Four had relocated from rural and remote communities to give birth. Interviews were digitally recorded and professionally transcribed. Women viewed digital technology in the maternity care environment positively and described their experiences with the EMR across the pregnancy continuum. Four themes emerged. 1) Midwives got the balance right between technology and caring for me during labour. 2) Digital technology in the birth environment made me feel safe and comfortable. 3) The paperless EMR was convenient to me and my care providers. 4) The electronic maternity record made my care and communication about my care more efficient. Participating women related an inherent belief that digital advances and progress naturally enhance care and safety. None of the women dwelt on cyber security or concerns regarding governmental storage of digital health data. Women provided examples of woman-centred care they received, and no woman expressed any adverse impact of EMR on their experience of care; they expressed that the midwives “got the balance right” and that the focus of care was still on them and not on the digital technology in maternity care environments.