Exploring how pregnant women in a remote northern community select a delivery location

[摘要] Objective To explore the perspectives and preferences of pregnant womenreceiving prenatal care in a rural community regarding delivery location.Design Exploratory qualitative research project.Setting The La Ronge Medical Clinic in northern Saskatchewan.Participants Pregnant women of any parity aged 18 years or older who attendedthe clinic for prenatal care from March 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019, were invited toparticipate. The closest obstetric and surgical services are 240 km away.Methods This project was undertaken using semistructured interviews. Theinterviews were audiorecorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an inductivethematic analysis, taking into consideration both saturation and analysttriangulation. The investigators and researchers on this project were familymedicine residents and faculty in a remote medical clinic.Main findings The factors that played a substantial role in influencing thepatients’ decisions regarding delivery location included access to medicalservices, proximity to home community, perceptions of medical care providers,and some unique features of local hospitals. The participants largely believedthey maintained their autonomy in selecting their preferred delivery locationwhile seeking input from their prenatal care providers and families.Conclusion Pregnant women in this rural community consider many factorswhen deciding on their delivery location. These findings can be taken intoconsideration by physicians when discussing with their rural patients therisks and benefits of delivery in both rural and urban centres. Barriers to localdelivery should be addressed, while maintaining a woman’s autonomy tochoose where she gives birth.

[学科分类] 卫生学