Precarity and preparedness during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A qualitative service evaluation of maternity healthcare professionals.

De Backer, K; Brown, JM; Easter, A; Khazaezadeh, N; Rajasingam, D; Sandall, J; Magee, LA; Silverio, SA

Precarity and preparedness during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A qualitative service evaluation of maternity healthcare professionals.

De Backer, K Brown, JM Easter, A Khazaezadeh, N Rajasingam, D Sandall, J

Magee, LA Silverio, SA

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Publisher:: WILEY
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 2022, 101, (11), pp. 1227-1237
Issue Date:: 2022-11

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	De Backer, K
dc.contributor.author	Brown, JM
dc.contributor.author	Easter, A
dc.contributor.author	Khazaezadeh, N
dc.contributor.author	Rajasingam, D
dc.contributor.author	Sandall, J https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2000-743X
dc.contributor.author	Magee, LA
dc.contributor.author	Silverio, SA
dc.date.accessioned	2023-06-22T08:14:47Z
dc.date.available	2022-07-25
dc.date.available	2023-06-22T08:14:47Z
dc.date.issued	2022-11
dc.identifier.citation	Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 2022, 101, (11), pp. 1227-1237
dc.identifier.issn	0001-6349
dc.identifier.issn	1600-0412
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/170827
dc.description.abstract	INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has devastated populations, posing unprecedented challenges for healthcare services, staff and service-users. In the UK, rapid reconfiguration of maternity healthcare service provision changed the landscape of antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. This study aimed to explore the experiences of maternity services staff who provided maternity care during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to inform future improvements in care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative interview service evaluation was undertaken at a single maternity service in an NHS Trust, South London. Respondents (n = 29) were recruited using a critical case purposeful sample of maternity services staff. Interviews were conducted using video-conferencing software, and were transcribed and analyzed using Grounded Theory Analysis appropriate for cross-disciplinary health research. The focus of analysis was on staff experiences of delivering maternity services and care during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. RESULTS: A theory of "Precarity and Preparedness" was developed, comprising three main emergent themes: "Endemic precarity: A health system under pressure"; "A top-down approach to managing the health system shock"; and "From un(der)-prepared to future flourishing". CONCLUSIONS: Maternity services in the UK were under significant strain and were inherently precarious. This was exacerbated by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which saw further disruption to service provision, fragmentation of care and pre-existing staff shortages. Positive changes are required to improve staff retention and team cohesion, and ensure patient-centered care remains at the heart of maternity care.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	WILEY
dc.relation.ispartof	Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/aogs.14438
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine, 1117 Public Health and Health Services
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Pandemics
dc.subject.mesh	SARS-CoV-2
dc.subject.mesh	Maternal Health Services
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.subject.mesh	Maternal Health Services
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Pandemics
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	SARS-CoV-2
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Pandemics
dc.subject.mesh	SARS-CoV-2
dc.subject.mesh	Maternal Health Services
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.title	Precarity and preparedness during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A qualitative service evaluation of maternity healthcare professionals.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	101
utslib.location.activity	United States
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/Faculty of Health/Midwifery
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-06-22T08:14:41Z
pubs.issue	11
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	101
utslib.citation.issue	11

Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has devastated populations, posing unprecedented challenges for healthcare services, staff and service-users. In the UK, rapid reconfiguration of maternity healthcare service provision changed the landscape of antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. This study aimed to explore the experiences of maternity services staff who provided maternity care during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to inform future improvements in care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative interview service evaluation was undertaken at a single maternity service in an NHS Trust, South London. Respondents (n = 29) were recruited using a critical case purposeful sample of maternity services staff. Interviews were conducted using video-conferencing software, and were transcribed and analyzed using Grounded Theory Analysis appropriate for cross-disciplinary health research. The focus of analysis was on staff experiences of delivering maternity services and care during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. RESULTS: A theory of "Precarity and Preparedness" was developed, comprising three main emergent themes: "Endemic precarity: A health system under pressure"; "A top-down approach to managing the health system shock"; and "From un(der)-prepared to future flourishing". CONCLUSIONS: Maternity services in the UK were under significant strain and were inherently precarious. This was exacerbated by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which saw further disruption to service provision, fragmentation of care and pre-existing staff shortages. Positive changes are required to improve staff retention and team cohesion, and ensure patient-centered care remains at the heart of maternity care.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/170827