Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Sep 10, 2019
Date Accepted: Feb 24, 2020
Focus group study among parents of newborns and healthcare professionals to identify the needs for a web-based postpartum platform
ABSTRACT
Background:
During the turbulent postpartum period, there is an urgent need for support and information by parents regarding the care for their infant. In the Netherlands, professional support during the postpartum period is delivered by maternity care assistants (MCAs). eHealth might be useful in addition to regular postpartum care.
Objective:
In order to develop an eHealth postpartum platform we aimed to explore its need and content.
Methods:
We conducted semi-structured focus groups among three groups of participants: parents, MCAs, and other professionals in maternity care and stakeholders. A topic list based on a framework designed for innovation processes was used. Thematic content analysis was applied.
Results:
In the focus group for parents, five mothers and one male partner participated. Six MCAs participated in a focus group. Five other professionals in perinatal care and two members of stakeholder parties participated in the focus group for other professionals. All user groups underlined that a platform focussing on the postpartum period was missing in current care, especially by parents experiencing a gap in the care after the intensive care ending after the first week. Parents indicated that they would perceive a postpartum platform as a proper source of reliable information on topics regarding breastfeeding, growth and developmental milestones, but also as a tool to support them in seeking care with the entitled professional. They also emphasised the need to receive personalised information and the opportunity to ask questions via the platform. MCAs acknowledged added value of providing additional information on topics which they address during the early postpartum period. Other professionals, MCAs and stakeholders would guide parents to such a platform for additional support. All user groups experienced disadvantages of using an authentication procedure and filling out extra questionnaires to receive tailored information.
Conclusions:
Our research shows that new parents and professionals foresee the additional value of an eHealth postpartum platform for at least the whole postpartum period. The platform should be easily accessible and personalised. Content on the platform should contain information regarding breastfeeding, growth and developmental milestones. A chat function with professionals could be considered as an option. Clinical Trial: Not applicable.
Citation
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