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ABSTRACT: Background
Shared decision-making (SDM) in maternity care is challenging when clients have insufficient health literacy (HL) skills. This study gained insight in how professionals apply HL-sensitive SDM in Dutch maternity care and their needs for support therein.Methods
Maternity care professionals (n = 30) completed a survey on SDM and the role of HL. Midwives (n = 13) were observed during simulated conversations discussing pain relief options and interviewed afterwards. The client-actors were instructed to portrait specific inadequate HL skills. Observation items focused on adapting communication to HL, and SDM (OPTION-5).Results
In the survey, professionals indicated experiencing most challenges when estimating clients' information comprehension. Observations showed that most midwives created choice awareness and informed clients about options, whereas exploring preferences and actual decision-making together with clients were observed less frequently. Their perceived HL-related obstacles and needs for support related to clients' information comprehension. In the interviews, midwives reported putting much effort into explaining available options in maternity care, but also that decisions about pain relief are often postponed until the moment of labour.Conclusion
Professionals' self-reported needs focus on clients' information comprehension. However, observations indicate that it is not the stage of informing, but rather value clarification and actual decision-making that need improvement in HL-sensitive SDM.
SUBMITTER: Murugesu L
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10440871 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Murugesu Laxsini L Damman Olga C OC Timmermans Danielle R M DRM de Wit Sanne S Nieuwenhuijze Marianne M Smets Ellen M A EMA Fransen Mirjam P MP
BMC pregnancy and childbirth 20230821 1
<h4>Background</h4>Shared decision-making (SDM) in maternity care is challenging when clients have insufficient health literacy (HL) skills. This study gained insight in how professionals apply HL-sensitive SDM in Dutch maternity care and their needs for support therein.<h4>Methods</h4>Maternity care professionals (n = 30) completed a survey on SDM and the role of HL. Midwives (n = 13) were observed during simulated conversations discussing pain relief options and interviewed afterwards. The cli ...[more]