Quality of care from the perspective of women with gestational diabetes in China

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the quality of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) care experienced by women in China and how it could be improved. MethodsA qualitative study was conducted at a municipal hospital in south east China. Women who had been diagnosed with GDM at 34–38weeks of pregnancy were enrolled during two periods; between May 1 and July 31, 2012, and between April 1 and July 31, 2013. Data regarding patient-perceived care quality were collected through semi-structured individual interviews and were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. ResultsThe study enrolled 44 patients; the interviews recorded a lack of professional care resources for GDM, a lack of high-quality personalized care for women with GDM, and patients’ suggestions regarding how to improve GDM care. ConclusionThe participants reported a lack of high-quality GDM care, describing the core problem as an imbalance between over-stretched hospitals and low-efficiency under-utilized primary healthcare centers. Clinical-practice reforms identified, particularly in primary healthcare settings, included improving services through increasing the number of health professionals and material resources to comply with diabetes guidelines, and incorporating a humanistic approach in the provision of care.