Are there limitations to using digital notes in maternity services?
I am an antenatal and postnatal practitioner and this study has been developed with pregnant women and new mums to investigate the limitations of accessing and using digital maternity notes and to identify where and how changes could be made.
What are digital maternity notes?
In recent years, the digital maternity notes system has been slowly rolled out in maternity units across the country. Pregnant women can access these notes via an app on a smartphone and the aim is to include notes and guidance for and from each appointment with a midwife or within maternity services. The digital notes have replaced the paper notes which were given to every pregnant women who took it to her appointments.
About the research study
We want to:
- identify the digital note features
- ask pregnant women/new mums/partners and midwives about accessing the notes and using the features
- talk to small groups of mums, partners and midwives about their experience of using digital notes and learn more about the limitations of using the digital notes
- put together the findings and the feedback from questions and conversations with conclusion, feedback and suggestions
Who would we like to take part?
- pregnant women and new mums from different backgrounds who have used digital maternity notes
- partners to gather feedback on accessing and using the digital notes
- midwives and other maternity staff for more knowledge about using and updating notes
Accessibility and inclusion are important so we are keen to include parents who are young; parents who have additional medical needs; parents who may have literacy issues or where English is not their first language.
By talking to different groups of parents throughout the study, we can include varied experiences about using the digital notes.
How can you take part?
There are different ways to be involved in the research study.
You can:
- answer questions and give feedback with a questionnaire
- take part in small group conversations, which will last for an hour each
- help to develop the questions and resources for this study
- be involved throughout the study to plan; provide feedback, perspective and reviews at different stages; to make sure communication is clear and in plain English and to help identify the findings of the study
You will be able to speak freely, to share your experiences and your input will not impact any maternity care. The surveys and focus group/interview discussions will be confidential.
We will tell you how notes are taken and kept for the study.
Who am I and why I am interested in this study?
I am an antenatal and postnatal practitioner, who has been working with expectant and new parents for over 20 years. I have also worked within maternity research since 2015.
The aim with this study is to learn more about the limitations of digital maternity notes, how they are accessed and used and what changes could be made. This would identify development and training needs to enhance the benefits of digital notes for expectant parents as well as for maternity staff.
What are the benefits for you if you take part?
From filling in a survey to sharing your experiences and views and being involved throughout the study, taking part is a chance to share your experience to help us to identify how the digital maternity notes can be used well and where potential improvements can be made.
This could impact care for expectant parents in the future.
If you would like to take part, if you have any questions, please do send me a quick message here.
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