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Understanding Perspectives of African American Medicaid-Insured Women on the Process of Perinatal Care: An Opportunity for Systems Improvement.
- Source :
-
Maternal and child health journal [Matern Child Health J] 2017 Dec; Vol. 21 (Suppl 1), pp. 81-92. - Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Objectives To address disparities in adverse birth outcomes, communities are challenged to improve the quality of health services and foster systems integration. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of Medicaid-insured women about their experiences of perinatal care (PNC) across a continuum of clinical and community-based services. Methods Three focus groups (Nā=ā21) were conducted and thematic analysis methods were used to identify basic and global themes about experiences of care. Women were recruited through a  local Federal Healthy Start (HS) program in Michigan  that targets services to African American women. Results Four basic themes were identified: (1) Pursuit of PNC; (2) Experiences of traditional PNC; (3) Enhanced prenatal and postnatal care; and (4) Women's health: A missed opportunity. Two global themes were also identified: (1) Communication with providers, and (2) Perceived socio-economic and racial bias. Many women experienced difficulties engaging in early care, getting more help, and understanding and communicating with their providers, with some reporting socio-economic and racial bias in care. Delays in PNC limited early access to HS and enhanced prenatal care (EPC) programs with little evidence of supportive transitions to primary care. Notably, women's narratives revealed few connections among clinical and community-based services. Conclusions The process of participating in PNC and community-based programs is challenging for women, especially for those with multiple health problems and living in difficult life circumstances. PNC, HS and other EPC programs could partner to streamline processes, improve the content and process of care, and enhance engagement in services.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Black or African American statistics & numerical data
Attitude to Health
Communication
Community Health Services
Female
Focus Groups
Health Status Disparities
Humans
Michigan
Physician-Patient Relations
Poverty
Pregnancy
Qualitative Research
Quality of Health Care
Racism
United States
Black or African American psychology
Health Services Accessibility
Healthcare Disparities
Medicaid
Perinatal Care statistics & numerical data
Pregnant Women ethnology
Pregnant Women psychology
Prenatal Care organization & administration
Prenatal Care statistics & numerical data
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1573-6628
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- Suppl 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Maternal and child health journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 28965183
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-017-2372-2