JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Risk perception plays an important role in decision-making processes. Differences in obstetric intervention rates suggest that, in addition to medical indications, the risk perception of obstetric health professionals might have a major influence on their decision-making process during childbirth. Although studies have investigated whether risk perception affects the role of midwifery or influences decision-making during childbirth, little is known about what obstetric health professionals actually perceive as risk or risky situations and whether different risk perceptions lead to more interventions during intrapartum care.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to understand the association of risk perception and the decision-making processes of obstetric health professionals (midwives and obstetricians) in Germany during intrapartum care. The study has 3 specific aims: (i) gain insight into what obstetric health professionals perceive as risk in the German clinical setting, (ii) assess the extent to which personal and systemic factors have an impact on obstetric health professionals’ risk perception, and (iii) investigate whether different perceptions of risk are associated with different decisions being made by obstetric health professionals.

Methods:

This is an exploratory sequential mixed methods study with two phases: a qualitative followed by a quantitative phase. In the first phase, qualitative data is collected and analyzed by conducting focus group discussions and applying qualitative content analysis to address aim (i). In the second phase, for aims (ii) & (iii) and to help explain the qualitative results, quantitative data are collected and analyzed by conducting an observational study using case vignettes within a survey constructed on the basis of the qualitative results.

Results:

Enrolment in the first (qualitative) phase began in July 2019 and data collection and analysis has been completed. The second (quantitative) phase is currently planned. First results are expected to be submitted for publication in 2020, with completion scheduled for 2021.

Conclusions:

This mixed methods study will examine the perception of risk and its association with the decision-making processes of obstetric health professionals during their care of women in childbirth. The rationale for this approach is that the qualitative data and their analysis explore participant’s views in more depth while the quantitative data will help to provide and explore a general understanding of the research problem. The results are expected to be relevant to health care professionals, policymakers and educational institutions in order to minimize underuse, overuse and misuse of interventions during intrapartDRKS00017172um care. Clinical Trial: DRKS00017172