Lived experiences of women with spontaneous abortion at a district hospital, South Africa

South African Family Practice

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Lived experiences of women with spontaneous abortion at a district hospital, South Africa
 
Creator Lockett, Marshall Mash, Robert J.
 
Subject family medicine abortion; miscarriage; pregnancy; patient satisfaction; quality of care; person-centredness
Description Background: Spontaneous abortions occur in 12.5% of pregnancies and have a significant impact on the well-being of women. Dissatisfaction with health services is well-documented, but no studies have been conducted in district health services of the Western Cape. The aim was to explore the lived experiences of women presenting with spontaneous abortions to the emergency department at Helderberg Hospital.Methods: A descriptive phenomenological qualitative study used criterion-based purposive sampling to identify suitable participants. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews. Atlas-ti (version 22) software assisted with data analysis using the framework method.Results: A total of nine participants were interviewed. There were four main themes: a supportive environment, staff attitudes and behaviour, the impact of time, and sharing of information. The comfort, cleanliness and privacy of the environment were important. COVID-19 had also impacted on this. Showing interest, demonstrating empathy and being nonjudgemental were important, as well as the waiting time for definitive treatment and the time needed to assimilate and accept the diagnosis. In addition, the ability to give relevant information, explain the diagnosis and help patients share in decision-making were key issues.Conclusion: This study highlighted the need for a more person-centred approach and managers should focus on changes to organisational culture through training and clinical governance activities. Attention should be paid to the physical environment, availability of patient information materials and sequential coordination of care with primary care services.Contribution: This study identifies issues that can improve person-centredness and women’s satisfaction with care for spontaneous abortion.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor NA
Date 2024-04-30
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Qualitative research
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/safp.v66i1.5917
 
Source South African Family Practice; Vol 66, No 1 (2024): Part 2; 9 pages 2078-6204 2078-6190
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5917/8710 https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5917/8711 https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5917/8712 https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5917/8713
 
Coverage South Africa 2022 Patients
Rights Copyright (c) 2024 Marshall Lockett, Robert J. Mash https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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