JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

There is increasing interest in using patient-generated health data (PGHD) to improve patient-centered care during pregnancy. However, little research has examined the perspectives of patients and providers as they report, collect, and utilize PGHD to inform obstetric care.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of patients and providers about the utilization of PGHD during pregnancy, including the benefits and challenges of reporting, collecting, and using this data, as well as considerations for expanding the use of PGHD to improve obstetric care.

Methods:

We conducted one-on-one interviews with 30 pregnant or postpartum patients and 14 healthcare providers from two obstetrics clinics associated with an academic medical center. Semi-structured interview guides included questions for patients about their experience and preferences for sharing PGHD and questions for providers about current processes for collecting PGHD, opportunities to improve or expand collection of PGHD, and challenges faced when collecting and using this information. Interviews were conducted by phone or video conference and were audio recorded, de-identified, and transcribed verbatim. Interview transcripts were analyzed deductively and inductively to characterize and explore themes in the data.

Results:

Patients and providers described how PGHD, including physiologic measurements and experience of symptoms, were currently collected during and between in-person clinic visits for obstetric care. Reported benefits of collecting PGHD included the potential to use data to directly inform patient care and to encourage ongoing patient involvement in their care. Patients and providers had suggestions for expanding the collection and use of PGHD during pregnancy, and providers also shared considerations about strategies that could be used to expand PGHD collection and use. These strategies included considering the roles of both patients and providers in reporting and interpreting PGHD. Providers also noted the need to consider the unintended consequences of using PGHD that should be anticipated and addressed.

Conclusions:

Both patients and providers reported positive perceptions about the collection and use of PGHD during pregnancy. Acknowledging the challenges, suggestions, and considerations voiced by patients and providers can inform the development and implementation of strategies to effectively collect and use PGHD to support patient-centered care during pregnancy.