Experiences Of Healthcare Providers Research Articles

Patient and healthcare provider experience and perceptions of a preoperative rehabilitation class for lumbar discectomy: A qualitative study

BackgroundLumbar disc disease is a leading cause of low back pain. Lumbar discectomy (LD) may be indicated if symptoms are not managed conservatively. Rehabilitation has traditionally been delivered postoperatively; however, there is increasing delivery preoperatively. There are few data concerning perceptions and experiences of preoperative rehabilitation. Exploring experiences of preoperative rehabilitation may help in the development and delivery of effective care for patients. ObjectivesTo develop an understanding of patient and healthcare provider (HCP) experiences, perspectives and preferences of preoperative LD rehabilitation, including why patients do not attend. DesignA qualitative interpretive approach using focus groups and individual interviews. MethodsData were collected from; a) patients listed for surgery and attended the preoperative rehabilitation (October 2019 to March 2020), b) patients listed for surgery but did not attend rehabilitation, and c) HCPs involved in the delivery of rehabilitation. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Results/findingsTwenty participants were included, twelve patients and eight HCPs. The preoperative class was a valuable service for both patients and HCPs. It provided a solution to staffing and time pressures. It provided the required education and exercise content helping the patients along their surgery pathway. Travel distance, transportation links, parking difficulty and cost, lack of knowledge about the class aims, and previous negative experiences were barriers to patient attendance. ConclusionsFor most patients and HCPs, the preoperative class was valuable. Addressing the challenges and barriers could improve attendance. Future research should focus on management of patient expectations and preferences preoperatively.

Experience of Operating Room Health Care Providers in the Management of Patients With Dementia.

The management of hospitalized patients with dementia is more complicated compared to patients without dementia, specifically in the surgery ward. The aim of the current study was to explore the experiences of operating room health care providers in the management of patients with dementia. A descriptive qualitative study was designed. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with surgical professionals. Content analysis was performed. Four main themes emerged: Communication Issues, Experience-Based Protocol, Emotions, and Perceived Needs. Health care providers in a surgical ward face numerous challenges when attending to patients with dementia and tend to use strategies based on their own experience due to lack of specific action protocols. Therefore, specific training of the surgical team and protocols are needed to ensure quality care. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 16(3), 125-133.].

Experiences of Primary Healthcare Workers in Australia towards Women and Girls Living with Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): A Qualitative Study.

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a harmful cultural practice with significant health consequences for affected women and girls. Due to migration and human mobility, an increasing number of women with FGM/C are presenting to healthcare facilities of western countries (including Australia) where the practice is non-prevalent. Despite this increase in presentation, the experiences of primary healthcare providers in Australia engaging and caring for women/girls with FGM/C are yet to be explored. The aim of this research was to report on the Australian primary healthcare providers' experiences of caring for women living with FGM/C. A qualitative interpretative phenomenological approach was utilised and convenience sampling was used to recruit 19 participants. Australian primary healthcare providers were engaged in face-to-face or telephone interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Three major themes emerged, which were: exploring knowledge of FGM/C and training needs, understanding participants' experience of caring for women living with FGM/C, and mapping the best practice in working with women. The study shows that primary healthcare professionals had basic knowledge of FGM/C with little or no experience with the management, support, and care of affected women in Australia. This impacted their attitude and confidence to promote, protect, and restore the target population's overall FGM/C-related health and wellbeing issues. Hence, this study highlights the importance of primary healthcare practitioners being skilled and well-equipped with information and knowledge to care for girls and women living with FGM/C in Australia.

Sources of stress and coping mechanisms: Experiences of maternal health care providers in Western Kenya.

The dynamic and complex nature of care provision predisposes healthcare workers to stress, including physical, emotional, or psychological fatigue due to individual, interpersonal, or organizational factors. We conducted a convergent mixed-methods study with maternity providers to understand their sources of stress and coping mechanisms they adopt. Data were collected in Migori County in western Kenya utilizing quantitative surveys with n = 101 maternity providers and in-depth interviews with a subset of n = 31 providers. We conducted descriptive analyses for the quantitative data. For qualitative data, we conducted thematic analysis, where codes were deductively developed from interview guides, iteratively refined based on emergent data, and applied by a team of five researchers using Dedoose software. Code queries were then analysed to identify themes and organized using the socioecological (SE) framework to present findings at the individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels. Providers reported stress due to high workloads (61%); lack of supplies (37%), poor salary (32%), attitudes of colleagues and superiors (25%), attitudes of patients (21%), and adverse outcomes (16%). Themes from the qualitative analysis mirrored the quantitative analysis with more detailed information on the factors contributing to each and how these sources of stress affect providers and patient outcomes. Coping mechanisms adopted by providers are captured under three themes: addressing stress by oneself, reaching out to others, and seeking help from a higher power. Findings underscore the need to address organizational, interpersonal, and individual level stressors. Strategies are needed to support staff retention, provide adequate resources and incentives for providers, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Interventions should support and leverage the positive coping mechanisms identified.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and or queer patient experiences in Canadian primary care and emergency departments: a literature review

This literature review synthesises existing evidence and offers a thematic analysis of primary care and emergency department experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or any other sexual or gender minority (LGBTQ+) individuals in Canada. Articles detailing first-person primary or emergency care experiences of LGBTQ + patients were included from EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and CINHAL. Studies published before 2011, focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, unavailable in English, non-Canadian, specific to other healthcare settings, and/or only discussing healthcare provider experiences were excluded. Critical appraisal was performed following title/abstract screening and full-text review by three reviewers. Of sixteen articles, half were classified as general LGBTQ + experiences and half as trans-specific experiences. Three overarching themes were identified: discomfort/disclosure concerns, lack of positive space signalling, and lack of healthcare provider knowledge. Heteronormative assumptions were a key theme among general LGBTQ + experiences. Trans-specific themes included barriers to accessing care, the need for self-advocacy, care avoidance, and disrespectful communication. Only one study reported positive interactions. LGBTQ + patients continue to have negative experiences within Canadian primary and emergency care – at the provider level and due to system constraints. Increasing culturally competent care, healthcare provider knowledge, positive space signals, and decreasing barriers to care can improve LGBTQ + experiences.

Healthcare Provider Experience in Diagnosing and Treating Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare, heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas characterized by various clinical, molecular, and histopathologic features of the skin. Variants of CTCL share many clinical features with common inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, making accurate and early diagnosis challenging in clinical settings. Inappropriate treatment or a delay in diagnosis can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Here, we report findings from an online survey that investigated dermatology community practice, knowledge, and education surrounding CTCL. An electronic survey of ten questions was developed and approved by physician experts in CTCL to assess experiences in diagnosing and treating CTCL among healthcare providers (HCPs). The survey was deployed to 10,600 US dermatology HCPs, including medical doctors (MDs), doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PAs) and excluding HCPs associated with CTCL centers of excellence. Among 44 HCPs who responded and were eligible for inclusion, 82% had diagnosed between one and ten CTCL cases in the last 5years. Most respondents (91%) reported that they include CTCL in their differential diagnoses after patients do not respond to treatment of more common conditions. Patients with CTCL were frequently diagnosed with other inflammatory dermatoses-most commonly dermatitis and psoriasis-before a CTCL diagnosis, and many were treated with ineffective therapies for years. The most common length of time before a CTCL diagnosis was made was between 1 and 3years, though 16% of HCPs reported that patients were treated for other diseases or skin conditions for ≥ 5years. Two-thirds of HCPs agreed that further education surrounding CTCL is needed. Given the infrequency of CTCL and its similar presentation to other common dermatologic conditions, increased education of CTCL is needed in the dermatology community to improve patient outcomes.

Implementation gaps in culturally responsive care for refugee and migrant maternal health in New South Wales, Australia

BackgroundRefugee and migrant women are at higher risk of childbirth complications and generally poorer pregnancy outcomes. They also report lower satisfaction with pregnancy care because of language barriers, perceived negative attitudes among service providers, and a lack of understanding of refugee and migrant women’s needs. This study juxtaposes health policy expectations in New South Wales (NSW), Australia on pregnancy and maternity care and cultural responsiveness and the experiences of maternal healthcare providers in their day-to-day work with refugee and migrant women from non-English speaking backgrounds.MethodsThis study used a qualitative framework method to allow for a comparison of providers’ experiences with the policy expectations. Sixteen maternal health service providers who work with refugee and migrant women were recruited from two local health districts in New South Wales, Australia and interviewed (November 2019 to August 2020) about their experiences and the challenges they faced. In addition, a systematic search was conducted for policy documents related to the provision of maternal health care to refugee and migrant women on a state and federal level and five policies were included in the analysis.ResultsFramework analysis revealed structural barriers to culturally responsive service provision and the differential impacts of implementation gaps that impede appropriate care resulting in moral distress. Rather than being the programmatic outcome of well-resourced policies, the enactment of cultural responsiveness in the settings studied relied primarily on the intuitions and personal responses of individual service providers such as nurses and social workers.ConclusionAuthentic culturally responsive care requires healthcare organisations to do more than provide staff training. To better promote service user and staff satisfaction and wellbeing, organisations need to embed structures to respond to the needs of refugee and migrant communities in the maternal health sector and beyond.

Integration of COVID-19 and TB screening in Kampala, Uganda: healthcare provider perspectives

BackgroundFollowing the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, Uganda experienced a 40% drop in tuberculosis (TB) screening by June 2020. We sought to identify barriers to and facilitators of integrated COVID-19 and TB screening from the perspective of healthcare providers (HCPs) at a National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.Design/methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using in-depth interviews with 12 HCPs involved in TB activities in the outpatient and emergency departments at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. We explored the HCP experiences at work in the setting of COVID-19, HCP perceived effect of COVID-19 on TB screening activities at the hospital, and perceptions about social and contextual factors that might influence the willingness of HCP to integrate screening of COVID-19 and TB. We analyzed the data using an inductive thematic approach and we denoted the emergent themes as barriers to and facilitators of COVID-19/TB integrated screening. We then mapped the themes to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior (COM-B) model.ResultsThe facilitators to integrated COVID-19 and TB screening included the availability of TB focal persons and already existing training forums at the hospital that could be utilized to strengthen the capacity of HCP to integrate COVID-19 and TB screening. The barriers included HCP’s inadequate knowledge on how to integrate screening of COVID-19 and TB, the absence of simple easy-to-use standard operating procedures and data collection tools for integrated screening, inconsistent supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), understaffing, and fear of contracting COVID-19 infection. The identified intervention functions to address the facilitators or barriers included education, persuasion, enablement, and training.ConclusionsThese findings provided a basis for designing contextually appropriate interventions targeting factors that are likely to influence HCP decisions and willingness to conduct TB screening in the context of COVID-19. Future studies should evaluate the effect of addressing these barriers to the integration of COVID-19 and TB as well as the effect of this on TB case finding in high-burden TB settings.

"I am busy enough…": Navigating challenges experienced by Medicaid providers serving pregnant people living with substance use disorders in Alabama.

Perinatal substance use is a clinical and public health concern. The purpose of the study was to understand the perspectives and experiences of perinatal healthcare providers serving pregnant people who receive Medicaid and are living with a substance use disorder. We conducted a secondary data analysis of the responses from perinatal healthcare providers who completed a survey to assess the state of Alabama's capability to effectively identify and treat individuals with substance use disorder. We analyzed short answer responses using consensus coding. Nine-hundred and ninety-five Medicaid providers completed the survey, 36 of the respondents identified that they were employed in an obstetric practice. Health insurance limitations, a lack of time and resources, and limited treatment options were the primary barriers indicated in the participants' responses. Structural and health system barriers negatively impact the capacity of perinatal healthcare providers in Alabama to serve pregnant people who receive Medicaid and are living with a substance use disorder. Perinatal healthcare providers need educational opportunities, training, and up-to-date resources to provide supportive, comprehensive care programming for perinatal populations with substance use disorders.

Challenges in Accessing and Delivering Maternal and Child Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Rapid Survey from Six States of India.

Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic and its prevention and control policies have impacted maternal and child health (MCH) services. This study documents the challenges faced by patients in accessing MCH services, and the experiences of health care providers in delivering those services during the COVID-19 outbreak, explicitly focusing on the lockdown period in India. A cross-sectional study (rapid survey) was conducted in 18 districts from 6 states of India during March to June, 2020. The sample size included 540 MCH patients, 18 gynaecologists, 18 paediatricians, 18 district immunisation officers and 108 frontline health workers. Bivariate analysis and multivariable analysis were used to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristics, and challenges faced by the patients. More than one-third of patients (n = 212; 39%) reported that accessing MCH services was a challenge during the lockdown period, with major challenges being transportation-related difficulties (n = 99; 46%) unavailability of hospital-based services (n = 54; 23%) and interrupted outreach health services (n = 39; 18.4%). The supply-side challenges mainly included lack of infrastructural preparedness for outbreak situations, and a shortage of human resources. A holistic approach is required that focuses on both preparedness and response to the outbreak, as well reassignment and reinforcement of health care professionals to continue catering to and maintaining essential MCH services during the pandemic.

Moral Distress Under Structural Violence: Clinician Experience in Brazil Caring for Low-Income Families of Children with Severe Disabilities.

Rigorous attention has been paid to moral distress among healthcare professionals, largely in high-income settings. More obscure is the presence and impact of moral distress in contexts of chronic poverty and structural violence. Intercultural ethics research and dialogue can help reveal how the long-term presence of morally distressing conditions might influence the moral experience and agency of healthcare providers. This article discusses mixed-methods research at one nongovernmental social support agency and clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Chronic levels of moral distress and perceptions of moral harm among clinicians in this setting were both violent, following Nancy Scheper-Hughes' use of that term, and a source of exceptional and innovative care. Rather than glossing over the moral variables of work in such desperate extremes, ethnography in these settings reveals novel skills and strategies for managing moral distress.

Maternal healthcare for women with physical disabilities in Northern Vietnam: perspectives of healthcare providers

BackgroundPregnancy among women with physical disabilities is common around the world; however, there are limited qualitative studies that explore the perspectives of healthcare providers toward pregnant women with disabilities outside of the Global North. ObjectiveThis article explores perspectives and experiences of maternal healthcare providers in the delivery of services to women with physical disabilities in Northern Vietnam. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 healthcare providers who worked in public and/or private healthcare North Vietnamese facilities where maternal services were provided. Data were thematically analyzed. ResultsThe participants included six males and eight females. Ten were obstetricians/gynecologists, one was a doctor specializing in obstetric imaging diagnosis, three were midwives, and one was a midwife/assistant doctor. Four themes were identified. In the first theme, providers attached provisos to the right to motherhood including the view that the women were limited to one child and should undergo prenatal screenings for fetal abnormalities. In the second theme, the providers reported that disability was not incorporated into their education; this led to half of them lacking confidence in providing appropriate maternal healthcare services for women with physical disabilities. The third theme found that although women with physical disabilities were considered as a priority group, decisions around who was seen before others or provided with fee discount/exemption were left in the hands of staff. The fourth theme identified that some providers overlooked their needs for physical accessibility and independence. ConclusionThis study shows that maternal healthcare providers in Vietnam discounted the needs of women with physical disabilities. The needs of women with disabilities should be included in the training of maternal healthcare providers in Vietnam.

Prerequisites of sexual health literacy promoting service: a qualitative study in Iran

BackgroundSexual health literacy is one of the determinants of the rate, factors, and outcomes of problems associated with sexual health and reproductive. The prerequisite of having and promoting this type of literacy is the appropriate organization and access to sexual health services. The current study was conducted with the objective of describing the perceptions and experiences of health care providers and recipients of sexual health literacy promoting services.MethodsThe current qualitative study was conducted on 37 individuals in the form of 3 individual in-depth and semi-structured interviews and 4 focus group discussions (26 individuals) with service recipients (women of reproductive age), and 8 in-depth and semi-structured interviews with service providers in Amol from September 2019 to March 2020. The recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed through content analysis.ResultsData analysis resulted in the extraction of the theme titled “prerequisites of sexual health literacy promoting service” which consisted of two subthemes ‘client-oriented service’ and ‘efficient service’. In the client-oriented service attention must be paid to the client’s age, sex, needs and socio-cultural background. Efficient service is a service which is based on continuing sexual education, can reconstruct sexual attitudes, is professional, team-based, integrated into other services, and has a follow-up structure.ConclusionsThe results outline the requirements for sexual health literacy promoting services which should be taken into consideration during the policymaking, planning and design of relevant health programs.

The challenge of dealing with non-AIDS comorbidities for people living with HIV: Perspectives and experiences of patients and healthcare providers

ABSTRACT As the cohort of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) ages, so does the spectrum and burden of non-AIDS define HIV-associated conditions (NARC). PLHIV are likely to need different and increased healthcare services. It requires health systems to adapt to this disease trend and conform to a chronic care model, which respects the distinct needs of the ageing population. In this article, we explore the lived experiences of PLHIV and their healthcare providers in managing the challenges of dealing with NARC in Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia. This study utilises interpretative substantive methods, encompassing qualitative interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The Normalisation Practice Theory (NPT) guided the semi-structured questions concerning routine screenings and current models of HIV care for ageing individuals. The main structural challenges in providing adequate geriatric care included: (i) the lack of awareness of the risk of NARCs; (ii) the absence of blended care; (iii) an HIV-centred approach exclusive of multidisciplinary care; and (iv) financial constraints. In an era with increasing NARCs, traditional HIV care models must adapt to the emerging challenges of a ‘greying’ and growing population.

Preparing for implementation of family-integrated neonatal care by healthcare providers in a district hospital of Limpopo Province

BackgroundParents of babies admitted to the neonatal unit experience considerable stress related to the neonatal environment and condition of the neonate. During admission, care is provided by healthcare providers and parents only visit their neonates during scheduled times. In family-integrated neonatal care parents are primary caregivers in neonatal health. AimThe aim of the study was to develop and implement strategies of family integrated neonatal care in a district hospital of Limpopo. DesignAction research, Piggot Irvine Problem Resolving Action Research model was utilized in the study. MethodsA quantitative tool was utilized to collect data on the well-being of the neonates. Two focus groups were held to explore the experiences of health care providers on provision of neonatal care in Limpopo Province. Data analysisDescriptive statistics was used to analyse quantitative data and the Tesch eight steps of data analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. ResultsSix sub themes emerged during the focus groups, namely,1) HIV-positive mothers’ unwillingness to breastfeed; 2) failure of the HIV-positive mothers to disclose their status to partners 3) failure of the mother to sustain kangaroo mother care after discharge; 4) incorrect Apgar scoring by midwives and medications by doctors in the labour ward; 5) shortage of resources in the neonatal unit; and 6) roles of family members in the neonatal unit. On assessment of the neonates’ well-being, it was found that most lost weight, while some neonates had a prolonged stay in the neonatal unit.Strategies of implementation of family integrated neonatal Care were developed by a steering committee. ConclusionThe conducted situational analysis highlighted the need for implementation of family integrated neonatal care, in which parents would become primary caregivers for their own neonates. Further research is required to explore the experiences of mothers during the implementation of family integrated neonatal care.

Sustaining telecare consultations in nurse-led clinics: Perceptions of stroke patients and advanced practice nurses: A qualitative study.

The ongoing pandemic has accentuated the use of telecare services; however, only limited progress has been made in understanding the barriers and facilitators to using these services. In order to move towards sustaining such essential services, the present study aimed to ascertain the experiences of stroke survivors and healthcare providers regarding the utilization of a post-stroke telecare service in Hong Kong. Interpretive description was employed for this study. Semi-structured discussions and interviews were undertaken with nine stroke survivors and four stroke nurses who delivered the telecare services. The principles of thematic analysis were inductively followed to analyse the data. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was used to guide the reporting of the data. Three themes emerged: (a) pre-existing post-discharge service pathways; (b) push factors/facilitators for telecare usage; and (c) barriers to telecare usage. Overall, the telecare service was considered a significant alternative and one that complements conventional face-to-face follow-ups. Stroke survivors were motivated to use the service because it was convenient and flexible. However, significant barriers exist, including technical issues and a lack of guidelines and training opportunities for healthcare providers. Although telecare is still evolving, several factors drive stroke survivors to use the service. Attention needs to be paid to the emerging barriers to improve long-term usage of the service. Clear guidelines are needed to underpin the development and implementation of telecare services.

Narrative Medicine: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Address Burnout Among the Nursing Workforce

Healthcare providers (HCPs) experience unprecedented burnout. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare workforce was pushed beyond its capacity, driving some out of the field, leaving hospitals and healthcare agencies to face unrelenting demand for care. Limited staff and resources challenged organizations to redesign infrastructure and processes to meet COVID-19 safety guidelines while balancing the priorities of finance and people.

Surgeon and medical student response to patient death.

Virtually all surgeons will experience patient death in their practice. Despite this, little is known about how surgeons cope with patient death or its potential adverse impact on surgeons' wellbeing. Education on how to respond to loss is not often incorporated into current wellness curricula in surgical training. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the significant hospital-related mortality, understanding surgical provider response to patient loss takes on unique import. A retrospective analysis was performed following administration of a 10-item survey that assessed healthcare provider (HCP) experience with patient death, activities used to cope with patient loss, and symptoms HCPs experienced. Participants included surgical faculty, residents, surgical advance practice providers and medical students on their surgical clerkship. Demographic characteristics were recorded: age, gender, academic level. Chi-squared test or Fisher exact test compared proportionality between those that did and did not experience patient loss. Logistic regression generated odds ratios examining impact of patient loss on symptoms experienced and activities engaged in after patient loss. : Fifty-six (75%) respondents experienced patient death. Common responses were to talk with colleagues (71%) and seek comfort from family/friends/partner (55%). Most respondents did not report symptoms related to patient death (53%); burnout was the most common symptom reported (36%). Respondents were less likely to seek interpersonal support for COVID-19-related death (P<0.008). Only 49% of participants received education on coping with patient death. Few surgeons receive training related to patient death. Optimal coping strategies are unknown but may mitigate potential negative impacts, including burnout. The data presented here also suggests the need to establish medical education designed to mitigate the distress associated with patient loss.

What Do the Health-care Providers Perceive and Experience about Health and Wellness Center Façade Branding? A Study in a Tribal District of Chhattisgarh

Abstract Introduction: Brands for services and health-care services for that matter can permeate unique meanings to consumers. Objective: The main objective of this study was to understand the perception and experiences of service providers about the health and wellness enter (HWC) branding. Materials and Methods: The study adopted a qualitative research method in which in-depth interviews of health-care service providers were carried out to capture their perceptions and experiences on HWC branding. Results: Two thematic areas emerged after the analysis of the collected data. Bada Hospital (Big Hospital): the service providers stated that the local inhabitants ask about the six thematic circles portrayed on the wall of HWCs and their role in this newly renovated building. After knowing the six priority service packages available, the locals perceived that this facility has now become a Bada hospital that can cater to their wider health-care needs. Incremental Trust: the service providers stated that the local tribal inhabitants, after perceiving this as a Bada Hospital, have started accessing health services in HWCs with less trust in faith healers. The locals also knew that the HWCs can provide them with medications including the injectables that they prefer the most and can also conduct some procedures, both medical and surgical, with adequate drugs, instruments, and consumables, thereby creating an incremental trust of the locals with 3–4 times more outpatient department footfall. Conclusion: The service providers perceive that the branding has created trust for the HWCs and improved the health-seeking behavior in the catchment areas.

Female birth companion for labor support: Perception and experience of health care providers

Background: The International Childbirth Initiatives aims to provide a respectful, evidence-based, and positive birthing experience to women. So, it is important that the women are counseled well before, during the antenatal period, and during labor and are given a choice of companion, doctor, hospital, and choice of her alternative birthing position. The aim was to assess the perceptions and experience of healthcare providers with the presence of a female Birth Companion (BC) for labor support. Method: A mixed-method observational study was conducted. The laboring women included in the study were mostly from rural areas, as the tertiary care hospital is situated in a rural area. Perceptions and experiences of health providers about 213 BCs were collected. The validated questionnaire was used to assess the perceptions of health providers through Google form. The information was downloaded as a Comma Separated Values (CSV) file. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel. Result: On evaluating the responses to each BC, 92.95% senior nurses were highly beneficial, 4.6% were somewhat beneficial, and 2.34% were not beneficial. The junior nurses were of the opinion that 79.81% were highly beneficial, 16.9% were somewhat beneficial, and 3.28% were not beneficial. Junior resident doctors said that 77.46% were highly beneficial, 19.71% were somewhat beneficial, and 2.81% were not beneficial. The senior resident doctors said that they were highly beneficial 86.38%, 11.73% were somewhat beneficial, and 1.87% were not beneficial. Most healthcare providers' perceived that BC gave physical,emotional support and confidence to laboring women. Some health providers had challenges like rude behavior,inattentiveness, and disturbing behavior of BCs. Conclusion: Most of the BCs during continuous laboring support were highly beneficial as per the perceptions and experience of the health care providers.