Covid-19 changes to maternity care: Experiences of Australian doctors.

Szabo, RA; Wilson, AN; Homer, C; Vasilevski, V; Sweet, L; Wynter, K; Hauck, Y; Kuliukas, L; Bradfield, Z

Covid-19 changes to maternity care: Experiences of Australian doctors.

Szabo, RA Wilson, AN Homer, C

Vasilevski, V Sweet, L Wynter, K Hauck, Y Kuliukas, L Bradfield, Z

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Publisher:: WILEY
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology, 2021
Issue Date:: 2021-02-06

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Szabo, RA
dc.contributor.author	Wilson, AN
dc.contributor.author	Homer, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-3011
dc.contributor.author	Vasilevski, V
dc.contributor.author	Sweet, L
dc.contributor.author	Wynter, K
dc.contributor.author	Hauck, Y
dc.contributor.author	Kuliukas, L
dc.contributor.author	Bradfield, Z
dc.date.accessioned	2021-04-21T23:38:34Z
dc.date.available	2020-12-19
dc.date.available	2021-04-21T23:38:34Z
dc.date.issued	2021-02-06
dc.identifier.citation	The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology, 2021
dc.identifier.issn	0004-8666
dc.identifier.issn	1479-828X
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/148270
dc.description.abstract	<h4>Background</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic meant rapid changes to Australian maternity services. All maternity services have undertaken significant changes in relation to policies, service delivery and practices and increased use of personal protective equipment.<h4>Aims</h4>The aim of this study was to explore and describe doctors' experiences of providing maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.<h4>Methods</h4>A national online survey followed by semi-structured interviews with a cohort of participants was conducted during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia (May-June 2020). Participants were recruited through social media networks. Eighty-six doctors completed the survey, and eight were interviewed.<h4>Results</h4>Almost all doctors reported rapid development of new guidelines and major changes to health service delivery. Professional colleges were the main source of new information about COVID-19. Most (89%) doctors felt sufficiently informed to care for women with COVID-19. Less than half of doctors felt changes would be temporary. Doctors described workforce disruptions with associated personal and professional impacts. The ability to access and process up-to-date, evidence-based information was perceived as important. Doctors acknowledged that altered models of care had increased pregnant women's anxiety and uncertainty. All doctors described silver linings from sector changes.<h4>Conclusions</h4>This study provides unique insights into doctors' experiences of providing maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Findings have immediate relevance to the maternity sector now and into the future. Lessons learnt provide an opportunity to reshape the maternity sector to better prepare for future public health crises.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	WILEY
dc.relation.ispartof	The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/ajo.13307
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine, 1117 Public Health and Health Services
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
dc.title	Covid-19 changes to maternity care: Experiences of Australian doctors.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.location.activity	Australia
utslib.for	1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-04-21T23:38:32Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic meant rapid changes to Australian maternity services. All maternity services have undertaken significant changes in relation to policies, service delivery and practices and increased use of personal protective equipment.

Aims

The aim of this study was to explore and describe doctors' experiences of providing maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.

Methods

A national online survey followed by semi-structured interviews with a cohort of participants was conducted during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia (May-June 2020). Participants were recruited through social media networks. Eighty-six doctors completed the survey, and eight were interviewed.

Results

Almost all doctors reported rapid development of new guidelines and major changes to health service delivery. Professional colleges were the main source of new information about COVID-19. Most (89%) doctors felt sufficiently informed to care for women with COVID-19. Less than half of doctors felt changes would be temporary. Doctors described workforce disruptions with associated personal and professional impacts. The ability to access and process up-to-date, evidence-based information was perceived as important. Doctors acknowledged that altered models of care had increased pregnant women's anxiety and uncertainty. All doctors described silver linings from sector changes.

Conclusions

This study provides unique insights into doctors' experiences of providing maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Findings have immediate relevance to the maternity sector now and into the future. Lessons learnt provide an opportunity to reshape the maternity sector to better prepare for future public health crises.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/148270