Keywords

Antenatal care, Antenatal preparation, Autonomy supportive care, eHealth, Telemedicine

 

Authors

  1. Johnsen, Helle RM, MEd, MSc
  2. Blom, Karina Fischer RM
  3. Lee, Anne RN, MSc
  4. Norgaard, Birgitte PhD, MScN, RN

Abstract

eHealth solutions are increasingly implemented in antenatal care to enhance women's involvement. The main aim of this study was to evaluate women's assessment of autonomy supportive care during the antenatal care visits among low-risk pregnant women. An intervention study was conducted including a control group attending standard antenatal care and an intervention group having access to an eHealth knowledge base, in addition to standard care. A total of 87 women were included in the control group and a total of 121 women in the intervention group. Data were collected using an online questionnaire 2 weeks after participants had given birth. Data were analyzed using [chi]2 tests and Wilcoxon rank sums. Use of an eHealth knowledge base was associated with statistically significant higher scores for women's overall assessment of antenatal care visits, the organization of antenatal care visits, confidence after antenatal care visits, and involvement during antenatal care visits. We also found a statistically significant higher overall self-perceived autonomy supportive care in the intervention group compared with the control group.