Qualitative Evaluations of Patient–Provider Interactions and Experience in Obstetric Transport [ID: 1377912

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Rural patients who require complex obstetric care are dependent on transport services to higher-level facilities. The objective of this study is to describe the efficacy of provider–patient interactions in informed consent, transport processes, and overall quality of care during emergency transport to the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH), the only level 1 trauma center receiving complex patients from multiple states. METHODS: Participants transported for emergency obstetric indications were recruited at UNMH. Institutional review board approval was obtained for demographic questionnaires, interviews, and surveys graded on a 5-point Likert scale were delivered via in person, telephone, or Zoom software and securely recorded. English interviews were transcribed via Otter.ai. Spanish interviews were manually translated. RESULTS: Preliminary results consisted of 10 patients living on average 3 hours from UNMH. While 90% of respondents reported that they had a good overall transport experience, 40% had concerns about personal safety and 50% for their baby's safety during transport. Additionally, 20% felt that their provider did not explain why they required transport and 30% did not understand why they were transported. A strong majority of participants (80%) reported no alternatives to transport being provided. CONCLUSION: Overall, rural obstetric patients who required transport to UNMH report a positive experience. However, some patients felt uninformed, did not understand the reason for their transport, and/or had fears about their safety and their baby's safety. Future studies should aim to understand the complex patient and provider factors that contribute to a patient's understanding during the consent process and how this affects patient perceptions and outcomes.